Murchison independent   Ruth Forrest last week took the first step in reintroducing the bill on the Legislative Council's notice paper.

Nelson independent   Jim Wilkinson, one of eight to vote against the bill, said he would again vote against the legislation if the motion was passed.

``If people want to examine my record, they'll see I'm definitely not anti-gay,'' Mr Wilkinson said.

``My view is that this is a federal issue.''

The belief that same-sex marriage was to be dealt with by the federal government was echoed by Windermere independent  Ivan Dean, Huon independent  Paul Harriss, Launceston independent  Rosemary Armitage and Western Tiers independent Greg Hall.

Ms Forrest hopes the motion will be voted on in May.  If that is successful, MLCs will debate the legislation in the second half of the year.

Legislative Council President and Montgomery independent   Sue Smith, who has previously said she would not support legislation allowing same-sex marriage, will retire in May.

Montgomery candidates Ed Vincent and Leonie Hiscutt indicated they would not support the bill.

``It's a federal issue: the ramifications could be horrendous,'' Ms Hiscutt said.

``My line of thinking is very similar to Sue Smith's.''

Montgomery candidate Cheryl Fuller said she supported the bill ``on principle'' as she believed it was time to recognise families of same-sex couples as valid.

Ms Forrest last year said she would reintroduce the motion.