Speaking during Saturday’s visit to Holbrook, Ms Ley said she did not believe amendments to the bill that passed the House of Representatives on Thursday were necessary.

“We are not walking away from our responsibility to protect religious freedoms,” she said. “The discussions that I’ve had with the people ... who moved the original bill have convinced me that it stands alone for what it was and is and that we can address concerns later.”

Only four MPs voted against the legislation, which followed the earlier postal survey that showed a majority of Australians supported same-sex marriage.

Ms Ley said Thursday’s vote had unified Parliament and the nation.

“But I am conscious that in my electorate 45 per cent of people voted no and I want to reassure them that their concerns will be addressed if they haven’t already by the existing legislation,” she said.