Nats MP calls for gay marriage policy

Nationals MP Darren Chester believes the coalition needs to take a policy to the next election that reflects Australia's desire for same-sex marriage.

Mr Chester says he spoke strongly for a free vote on the matter at Tuesday's marathon joint party room meeting but acknowledged "you don't always get what you want in federal politics and in life itself".

He told ABC Radio on Wednesday that a small cohort of national party members in his electorate had sought to have him disendorsed over his position but says he's confident that he'll survive the ballot when the time comes.