Mr Cheeseman was speaking after a Greens-led motion was passed yesterday asking MPs to consult their electorates on the issue.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard bowed to pressure from Labor's left wing, backing the motion, with The Greens hailing the vote as the first step towards changing the Marriage Act.

Mr Cheeseman said he believed the community had ''moved a long way" in the past 20 years.

"I suspect the majority of people in my electorate would support it, but there would be pockets of people who wouldn't'," he said.

Liberal member for Wannon Daniel Tehan said he didn't support same-sex marriage and wouldn't change his stance even if community support shifted.

"I don't support same-sex marriage, I believe marriage is between a man and a woman," Mr Tehan said.

"This isn't a matter of discrimination of same-sex couples, this is about the union of marriage which is traditionally between a man and a woman and I believe it should stay like that into the future."

A survey of all the candidates for this month's state election by The Standard found mixed results.

Member for South west Coast Denis Napthine said he didn't support the idea but said a discussion was needed at a federal level.

"It's not a state issue, it's a federal issue, but personally I don't support same sex marriage," Dr Napthine said.

Independent candidate James Purcell said he wanted all couples to have the same rights but didn't support same-sex marriage.

"I don't support same-sex marriage, you can have a union of same sex but i think marriage is for a man and a woman. I think it will go to a conscience vote if it goes to parliament, so it won't be a major issue," Mr Purcell said.

"I think same-sex relationships are quite legitimate- what people want to do is their business - but marriage is an institution that's been around for thousands of years and I don't think we need to change it."

State Greens candidate Jack Howard said his party was the most progressive on the issue and fully supported same-sex marriage.

"I think it should be the community that decides, and the Greens have supported same-sex marriage for some time - gender should be no barrier between the marriage of two people," Mr Howard said.

"We've recently committed to producing a bill to support same-sex marriage, but because federal laws override state laws on this matter it will have to be a co-ordinated effort," Mr Howard said.

Labor candidate John Herbertson said there was no need to change marriage laws.

"I don't support it, I agree with the premier- marriage is for a man and a woman, and John Brumby has made sure they have the same rights in a civil union with tax and everything so they're not missing out on anything," Mr Herbertson said.

Family First's Craig Haberfield said his own view and that of his party was for marriage to remain only between men and women.

"I think globally the definition of marriage is between a man and a woman - if its something different then call it civil union or something else. You can disagree with someone's lifestyle decisions but respect them none the less,' he said.