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Malcolm Turnbull meets locals on the Central Coast after a 'Politics in the Pub' forum. Photo: Wolter Peeters

Spooked Liberals in NSW are warning the federal leadership crisis threatens to derail their re-election campaign, as a federal Coalition minister conceded on Thursday that a spill motion against Prime Minister Tony Abbott is now likely.

Trade Minister Andrew Robb also joined the fray warning the government would look like political "amateurs" if rebel MPs force a leadership spill.

Malcolm Turnbull taking questions at the Dam Hotel in Wyong on Thursday night. Photo: Wolter Peeters

But Fairfax Media has learned a number of federal MPs are under pressure from state colleagues to line up behind Malcolm Turnbull and force a change, and to get it done quickly.

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On Thursday night, Mr Abbott said a leadership vote would be a "distraction" and insisted he trusted Mr Turnbull and deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop.

Fairfax Media has spoken to four NSW Baird government MPs who have all taken concerns to federal counterparts.

Their concern, fed by state-based polling, is that the "Abbott factor" could cost 10 to 20 seats in March.

That could be restricted to a loss of 5 to10 without Mr Abbott's drag. The extreme unpopularity of the Abbott government was a factor in the wipeouts of the Newman Queensland government and the Napthine fovernment in Victoria.

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NSW state Liberals urge federal counterparts to replace Tony Abbott