The federal government has backed a Greens’ motion calling on all MPs to survey their constituents on ways to achieve equal treatment for same-sex couples, including marriage.

But Ms Ley said she did not need to survey her electorate on the issue of gay marriage because people already made their views known to her.

She described the motion as a “penetrating glimpse of the obvious that members of parliament talk to their constituents”.

“I do hear about this issue and all other issues continually, if people have strong feelings about it they let me know,” Ms Ley said.

“For someone who’s been a member of parliament since 2001 I don’t need to be told by someone who’s just walked into the place that I need to ask my constituents what their feelings are because that’s my job and as far as I’m concerned I am doing my job.”

Ms Ley said she regularly heard from people “passionately for” and “passionately against” same-sex marriage.

She said she was opposed to all forms of discrimination against same-sex couples but that she was not sure not allowing gay marriage was a form of discrimination.

“I am deeply concerned when I hear stories of young people in our smaller country towns where they feel confused and outcast because of their sexuality and I want very much for all forms of discrimination to cease but I don’t know whether it’s about changing the Marriage Act,” Ms Ley said.

“How we feel in terms of our views on whether a relationship is acceptable doesn’t come down to a piece of legislation; it comes down to education and it comes down to understanding.

“Thinking of when I was a teenager to where my teenagers are today we have taken some giant steps and I’m very pleased that we have.

“But I don’t think those things have happened because of changes to the law; they happened because of changes to people’s attitudes.”

Ms Ley said legal situations where same-sex couples were not recognised should be addressed.

But she was unsure how she would vote if a conscience vote on same-sex marriage is allowed.

Federal member for Indi Sophie Mirabella could not be reached for her comment on the motion.