Updated December 08, 2017 15:53:31

Photo: There was a clear divide in the House of Representatives when it came time to vote. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)

Nine Government MPs chose to abstain from yesterday's final conscience vote on same-sex marriage in the House of Representatives.

In the end there was no official record of the overwhelming support for the bill, because the Government benches were overflowing with Coalition, Labor and crossbench supporters.

Only four MPs voted no — the Coalition's Russell Broadbent, Keith Pitt and David Littleproud, and crossbencher Bob Katter.

Photo: Russell Broadbent and Bob Katter were among four MPs who voted no. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)

According to the standing orders, if fewer than five people oppose a bill, it passes "on the voices" and the names of those who backed it are not officially recorded.

However, a number of staunch opponents of the same-sex marriage bill were notably absent during the vote.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was among those who abstained.

"I said at the start I believe in the current definition of marriage and I've said that all the way along," he told reporters in Sydney today.

"But I said I'd never vote against the wishes of the Australian people and I didn't."

His frontbench colleague Scott Morrison was another high-profile member of the Government who elected to abstain.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott was also out of the chamber, along with Andrew Hastie, Michael Sukkar, Alex Hawke, Kevin Andrews, Rick Wilson and George Christensen.

Mr Christensen has been one of the loudest critics of the bill.

His electorate of Dawson voted 55 per cent in favour of legalising same-sex marriage.

"I told my electorate I would not vote against their wishes," Mr Christensen said to explain his decision to abstain.

"However I am concerned the same-sex marriage bill failed to protect religious liberty."

Photo: Whilst no official count was given, the ABC verified at least 120 members voted yes. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was questioned about Mr Abbott's decision to abstain rather than voting against the legislation.

Mr Turnbull said he did not notice his predecessor's absence.

"Well, it's a free vote," he said.

"You can vote against it or abstain if you wish."

Mr Abbott's Sydney electorate of Warringah was 75 per cent in favour of same-sex marriage, according to the postal survey.

Photo: Tony Abbott moved an amendment to the bill, but it was voted down. (ABC News: Marco Catalano)

Topics: government-and-politics, federal-government, federal-parliament, sexuality, marriage, gays-and-lesbians, australia

First posted December 08, 2017 15:42:22