Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has reignited criticism of his government's same-sex marriage policy after posting on social media to celebrate Valentine's Day.
Mr Turnbull, who supports the reform of marriage, posted a photo of himself and his wife Lucy, a businesswoman and former lord mayor of Sydney.
The Prime Minister wrote: "When I first asked Lucy to marry me, she said, 'Let's wait until we grow up.' Well we didn't wait long and now it is almost impossible to imagine, let alone remember, what it was like not to be together, so much so that I have a much clearer sense of 'Lucy and me' than I do of 'me'."
While many responses were positive, others were disappointed and angered with Mr Turnbull's stance since becoming leader.
Tomas Allan Leaumont, of Sunbury, Victoria, wrote: "Well because of you and your party I will never know what it will be like to marry partner of nearly 10 years. So happy for you both."
Douglas McFarland, of Gosford, NSW, wrote: "When I first asked my partner to marry me, he said let's wait till our government lets us...and now, four years later, we have to wait until 51 per cent of the country lets us (and then the government can still reject it) ... you and Lucy are beautiful together, an inspiring couple ... just wish your leadership was more inspiring on marriage.
"We all know you get it, we all know you want it, we all know you are spinning political bs when you support the plebiscite. Perhaps Valentine's day is the perfect day to scrap the plebiscite! Happy Valentine's day to you both, it must be a lovely reminder of your marriage. As opposed to the constant reminder that same sex couples love is less!"
Brad Wolfe, of Melbourne, said: "Lucky you can get married. How about a free vote on marriage equality instead of wasting millions on a pointless plebiscite some of your ministers have vowed to ignore anyway?"
Other commenters urged that politics should be left aside and the Turnbulls' relationship appreciated.
Tony Puntureri, of Adelaide, insisted people should "respect that Malcolm is human and not just our Prime Minister. An Aussie bloke pledging his love for his wife. Simply that!"
"What a sad state of affairs when our PM can't express his love for his wife without being vilified," wrote Lin Jessop. "Happy Valentine's Day to Malcolm and Lucy."
In a party room debate while Tony Abbott was prime minister, Mr Turnbull argued against a public vote and for a free vote among Coalition MPs. He and 32 others who shared this view were defeated by 66 who did not.
The government decided to put the issue to the public in the form of a plebiscite, at the time saying this would bind Parliament to whatever result it yielded.
However, conservative members of the Coalition caused tension recently by backing out of this arrangement, saying they would vote against same-sex marriage anyway.
Senator Cory Bernardi said: "Even if the public voted for [same-sex marriage], I wouldn't vote for it.
"It goes against what I believe in. This is a substantial issue and, in the annals of public policy, you want to be on the record about your views."
Mr Abbott has suggested legislation be passed before a plebiscite which would automatically trigger the change in the event of a successful yes vote.
Labor has attacked the policy as a $160 million waste of money and delaying tactic by anti-gay-marriage politicians.
Australian Marriage Equality has said that, as of January, the reform had enough support among MPs to pass both houses of Parliament, renewing pressure on the Prime Minister to grant a free vote.
