MALCOLM TURNBULL is canvassing views on gay marriage, on which, he says, he has an open mind.

The federal Liberal frontbencher has sent an email survey to about 20,000 electors in his eastern suburbs seat of Wentworth, and to about 50,000 people elsewhere.

Coalition policy is opposed to gay marriage and last November the Coalition voted against a Greens motion that called on MPs to acknowledge increased public support for gay marriage and for MPs to consult their constituents on the issue.

It passed by 73 votes to 72 with the support of Labor and a handful of independents.

Mr Turnbull told the Herald yesterday his survey was not motivated by that motion but was his own initiative.