Laws to allow same-sex marriage could be passed by the end of next week if a move by Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm is successful.

The government plans to ask the Senate on Tuesday to set a timetable for the debating and passing of a number of bills, including changes to the way in which senators are elected.

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Senator Leyonhjelm wants to add to that list a Greens bill, originally moved by Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, which would allow for marriage equality.

If the move is successful, it would mean Senator Hanson-Young’s bill would have to be debated and put to a vote by the end of the Senate sitting next week.

“The question is whether the Greens will agree to the time management motion – this will be a bit of a test,” Senator Leyonhjelm told AAP on Friday.

He said there were enough supporters of the marriage law change for it to pass.

And the move would save taxpayers $160 million which was to be spent on a plebiscite later this year.

“I call on both the Greens and Mr Turnbull to demonstrate the courage of their convictions,” Senator Leyonhjelm said.

– AAP