Gladys Berejiklian to remain Premier as rebel MPs call off leadership spill

The leadership spill against NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has been called off.

The three Liberal MPs leading the charge - Tanya Davies, Matthew Mason-Cox and Lou Amato - released a second statement on Tuesday morning saying they have abandoned the spill.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian leaves her home on Tuesday morning ahead of a spill motion for her leadership. Credit: Nick Moir

"Since releasing our statement last night, we have received confirmation that further concessions will be forthcoming in relation to the amendments to the abortion bill.

"On that basis, I have called the Premier this morning and advised her that we will withdraw the spill motion to continue negotiations prior to the debate commencing in the upper house later today."

Earlier, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian waved to reporters as she left her home and said “the numbers will speak for themselves” when asked if she had a message for the rebel MPs who brought on the spill.

Attorney-General Mark Speakman predicted the spill was "going to be a bit of a fizzer" while Families and Communities Minister Gareth Ward backed Ms Berejiklian, characterising the three MPs behind the spill motion as an "arrogant" fringe.

"The reality is that this is an attempt by people who want to hold the rest of Parliament over a barrel because they're not getting their way on a particular issue," Mr Ward told ABC radio.

The MPs released a statement at 8.30pm on Monday after they had been told that key amendments they wanted made to the controversial bill had been "rejected in full or in part".

Senior Liberals told the Herald that the first they knew of the trio's intentions was when the statement arrived in their inboxes.

A senior Liberal said the MPs would not have the support for the motion to be successful but it was designed to weaken Ms Berejiklian's leadership and direct anger at government MPs and ministers involved in the process, including Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

Mrs Davies had threatened to go to the crossbench if "sensible" amendments were not made to the bill, along with her colleague Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly.

But rather than quit, she said they would call a spill motion against the Premier.

"We have come to the conclusion that the right course of action is not to leave the Parliamentary Liberal Party but to hold the Premier to account for presiding over this shameful process," the MPs said in a statement.

This is an attempt by people who want to hold the rest of Parliament over a barrel because they're not getting their way.

Families and Communities Minister Gareth Ward on ABC radio

"We have also been alarmed by the Premier’s continued failure to address the impasse in the Legislative Council which has slowly ground the government’s legislative agenda to dust.

"This position is also untenable and must be urgently resolved for the good government of this state."