Mr Evans made his stance on the issue known in State Parliament this week, as he spoke in support of a priority motion tabled by gay independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich. 

Mr Greenwich’s motion noted ‘‘members of the NSW Parliament and the community hold various views on the issue of marriage equality’’ and wished their federal colleagues ‘‘a respectful debate that is tolerant of all views’’.

The motion also noted the ‘‘importance of members of Parliament being free to express their own view and the views of their electorates on this issue’’.

‘‘The vast majority of people in NSW and the wider Australian communities have opened their hearts and minds to support the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex [LGBTI] people to marry the persons they love in the country they love,’’ Mr Greenwich told Parliament.

In response, Mr Evans said: ‘‘We can feel the love in the room’’.

‘‘It is our job to allow people to have free relationships without being discriminated against,’’ he said.  

Mr Evans told Parliament he met with representatives of church groups in the Heathcote electorate when he was first elected MP and the first question he asked was ‘‘What do you think about marriage equality?’’

‘‘Surprisingly, in the conservative Heathcote electorate they all said they agreed with it,’’ he said.

‘‘They have their own issues within their own churches about being able to marry same-sex couples, but all the ministers and reverends agreed that they were open to the idea of marriage equality.

‘‘In 2015, the people of this state have reached the point where it is time to get on with it. 

‘‘If the conservative people of Heathcote realise and accept that it is time to allow people to do their own thing without interference from government members or anyone else, we have evolved and we can move forward on this issue. 

‘‘It is important that we openly discuss this issue in a sedate and mature manner so we have proper recognition of same-sex marriages.’’