But the member for Farrer says the issue, which has been debated by politicians in Canberra following the introduction of a motion by Greens MP Adam Bandt, is not a hot issue for Farrer which extends from Albury to Broken Hill.

“I’ve had about 500 calls, comments or letters on the issue, the majority in the form of a standard letter from groups either side of the debate,” Mrs Ley said.

“To this point just over 80 per cent are indicating they are against legalising same-sex marriage.

“Most of the surveys conducted by my fellow MPs have attracted only a small response from constituents and I’ve got to say, here in Farrer, it certainly isn’t the hot button issue some in Canberra are making out.

“There is no vote proposed right now but if there was, the conscience of the majority in this electorate is against same-sex marriage.

“My personal view is similar at this time but primarily because I think the legal and moral issues for any children arising from such a union are yet to be fully canvassed.”

The member for Indi, Sophie Mirabella, criticised Mr Bandt’s approach to the debate over gay marriage.

“The motion that was put forward by the Greens member Adam Bandt was a motion that asked MPs to survey the views of their constituents,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“This is what I am paid to do every day. I don’t need to be told by the Greens how to do my job.”

Mrs Mirabella said her stance on the issue was clear.

“I have and will continue to support legislative reform that gives same-sex couples equal property rights,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The debate about the institution of marriage in Australia gives rise to profound differences of opinion.

“I believe that the majority of the North East community views the institution of marriage as it is currently defined by the Marriage Act, that is, ‘the union of man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life’.”