Like his federal counterpart, Opposition leader Tony Abbott, Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu said on Sunday that Liberal MPs in the state would not be allowed a conscience vote on a same-sex marriage bill introduced by Greens MP Sue Pennicuik in June.

Similar legislation were rejected last week by Parliament, which some observers blamed on the tough stand by the Coalition not to allow members a conscience vote, unlike Labor, which allowed members not to tow the party stand.

Mr Baillieu, through spokesman Paul Price, explained that gay couples in Victoria could anyway register their relationships under the Domestic Partnership Register that allowed them access to the same services and legal entitlement given to married couple.

"Clearly the Commonwealth has undisputed authority to deal with this matter. There is considerable uncertainty as to the states' capacity to legislate and legally sustain law in this area," The Age quoted Mr Price.

Gay rights group were disappointed with the decision by Mr Baillieu while other states are moving towards recognition of same-sex marriage. Tasmania is expected to be the first Australian state to legalise gay unions since a bill co-sponsored by Labor Premier Lara Giddings and Greens leader Nick McKim is schedule for debate in the upper house this week after the state's lower house approved the measure in August.

A group made up of Liberals, National, Labor, Greens and independent MPs in New South Wales are working for the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the state. In contrast to Mr Baillieu, NSW Liberal Premier Barry O'Farrell said he would allow a free vote for Liberal MPs on a gay marriage bill the multiparty group is working on.

Placing same-sex marriage on the same level as bestiality has caused Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi not only his parliament post but also a speaking engagement in Oxford, England where he flew right after resigning.

Mr Bernardi was slated to address the European Young Conservative Freedom Summit over the weekend at the St Hugh's College in Oxford University, but pulled out participation in the conference after the British Conservative Party kept distance from the Australian senator.

"I contacted the organisers yesterday to say that my attendance at their conference has become a distraction. I had intended to talk about Australia and the Commonwealth, but that message would be lost, and I don't want to drag an unrelated issue into this important conference," Mr Bernardi said in a statement.

Mr Bernardi, however, continued to refuse to apologise for his offensive remarks.

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