Ballarat MP Catherine King has gone silent on same-sex marriage, again refusing to tell constituents where she stands on the issue.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard last week said federal Labor MPs and senators should be free to vote on same-sex marriage in parliament according to their own beliefs.

Ms Gillard wants the party to grant MPs a conscience vote on the issue at next month’s ALP national conference in Sydney. Ms King will observe the debate and its outcome before considering her position when a vote comes before the House of Representatives, a spokesperson said.

She has previously opposed a change to the Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to marry, but in August said her views had been “fundamentally challenged” by community consultation on the issue.

Daylesford resident Mel Thomas said Ms King’s position was “ridiculous”.

“I married my female partner two years ago and I think the current political debate is absolutely hysterical.

“It is very sad that our politicians who are meant to be running the country are not considering every human being and won’t even talk about where they stand,” she said.

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