CANBERRA, Australia - The Australian opposition is widely expected to dash government plans to allow a public but non-binding vote on recognizing gay marriage in Australia.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's conservative coalition government needs the support of the center-left Labor Party to get enabling legislation through the Senate to hold a national vote on gay marriage on Feb. 11.

While Labor supports gay marriage, it argues the plebiscite would trigger a divisive public debate.

A meeting of Labor lawmakers will formally announce their decision on the issue on Tuesday.

Labor Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek told Australian Broadcasting Corp.: "I don't think you have to be a genius to work out where the majority of feeling is in the Labor caucus on this."