The federal government has unveiled a draft of changes to workplace standards in which gay and lesbian parents could receive unpaid parental leave as of 2010.

It was reported in The Age this week that changes to the workplace safety net would give gay and lesbian parents the same parental leave rights as heterosexual families.    

Demetra Giannakopoulos, Co-convenor of the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, said she welcomed the move but was as yet unsure of the details of the proposal.

"We think it's great news and we look forward to looking at further details from the government on the changes."

The Age reported the comments of Nationals senator, Barnaby Joyce, who said the government is backing down on its claims to keep marriage between a man and a woman.

"If you say you believe in marriage between a man and a woman, you have got to be fair dinkum about it, you can't draw a line in the sand somewhere around Western Australia. The best outcome for a child is a happy family made up of a man and a woman," he said.

It is believed the move will attract opposition in the Senate, which is currently in the midst of reviewing the 100 changes to legislation for same-sex entitlements in a Senate Committee.

Shadow Attorney-General George Brandis has indicated the coalition supports the bill "in principle", but has recommended the Senate review the bill to include interdependent couples in the scheme.

The coalition's move to review the legislation has stalled the fast-tracking of the bill, which was expected to be ready by July 1st.

Mr Brandis said in an interview on JOY FM that there had been a difference of opinion on the bill in the party room, with Liberal MP's indicating varying views in support of the bill.

by ANDIE NOONAN