GEORGE Christensen is calling for a national plebiscite on a proposal to change to the definition of marriage.

This proposal comes after mounting pressure for Australia to follow the example set by Ireland and legalise same-sex marriage.

For a long time George Christensen didn't support same-sex marriage but in recent years he has seen eye-to-eye with an advocate for marriage equality.

Mr Christensen told the Daily Mercury previously that he thought that it should not be up to politicians to change the Marriage Act.

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"I've been thinking about this for a long time," he said.

"Marriage is more important than politics."

Today Mr Christensen is calling for a national plebiscite on a proposal to change to the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples.

"Marriage is a cultural institution and culture is something that is determined by the people, not by politicians," he said.

"I don't think it should be up to 200 or so politicians in Canberra to make cultural decisions."

Mr Christensen said the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, was right to rule out a referendum on the issue because it would not require a change to the constitution.

"However, Mr Abbott did not say there would not be a plebiscite on the issue, which is the path I think we need to take."

WHAT IS A PLEBISCITE?

The direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important public question such as a change in the constitution:

Origin?

Mid 16th century (referring to Roman history): from French plébiscite, from Latin plebiscitum, from plebs, pleb- 'the common people' + scitum 'decree' (from sciscere 'vote for'). The sense 'direct vote of the whole electorate' dates from the mid 19th century.