Melbourne MP Tim Watts says his office has received dozens of "tongue in cheek" requests for free portraits of Queen Elizabeth in the last 24 hours, but he is firing back with some "nationhood material" of his own.

Key points: Constituents are able to ask their federal MP for "nationhood material"

Constituents are able to ask their federal MP for "nationhood material" This includes flags, the national anthem and images of the Queen and Prince Philip

This includes flags, the national anthem and images of the Queen and Prince Philip Labor MP Tim Watts will send Melbourne West-related material along with the requests

Sorry, this audio has expired You're entitled to a free portrait of the Queen

Mr Watts said the requests came flooding in after a report by Vice Media that highlighted the little-known "constituents' request program" which allows for voters to receive free "nationhood material" including flags, recordings of the national anthem and images of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, just by asking their federal member.

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Speaking to the ABC's Radio National Drive program, the Labor MP said most of the inquiries from his constituents in Gellibrand had been made jokingly.

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"I can say before the story was published, I had received zero requests for portraits of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth," he said.

"The last 24 hours, I would say about four dozen.

"I think 99 per cent were tongue firmly in cheek."

In response, Mr Watts said he was perfectly entitled to use his freedom of speech to send extra materials back.

"I've chosen to respond to these tongue in cheek requests with a bit of nationhood material of my own from Melbourne's west," he said.

"Some portraits of [retired Western Bulldogs captain] Bob Murphy and [former prime minister] Julia Gillard, some Australian Republican Movement membership forms and an invite to our Wattle Day barbeque at Williamstown beach."

Mr Watts is not the only MP to be inundated. Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie wrote she had received 25 inquiries in 12 hours.

He said MPs were not legally obligated to provide the material, the legislation just created the ability for them to source the nationhood material.

The Labor MP said there was merit behind the program, with many schools and community groups acquiring flags and the constitution for various reasons, including educational purposes.

"Usually people request flags when they're representing Australia overseas for sport or school or community groups," Mr Watts said.

"Very frequently I give out Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and I think that is a worthwhile thing to do for our community.

"It's not all the farce of giving pictures of Liz [Queen Elizabeth II] and Phil the Greek [Prince Philip]."