The dust has barely settled from the federal election, but in New South Wales the knives are out and the battle is on to become the next state Labor leader.

Kogarah MP Chris Minns will throw his hat into the ring as soon as nominations are open, possibly as early as today.

The ABC was told a triumvirate of rival MPs had formed a strategic alliance to challenge Mr Minns for the job of opposition leader.

Strathfield MP Jodi McKay, Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and Keira MP Ryan Park agreed one of them would run for the top job so Mr Minns was not elected unopposed.

However, last week Mr Park decided it would not be him to contest, which means it will be either Jodi McKay or Kate Washington who nominates.

NSW Labor has been without a leader since Michael Daley stood aside after the party's state election loss in March.

The party decided to delay its leadership ballot until after the federal election so as not to distract from Bill Shorten's campaign.

Opposition MPs have remained disciplined and united — at least publicly.

But the phones are now ringing hot as the contenders jostle for support and assess whether they have the numbers to secure the leadership.

Chris Minns

Chris Minns has yet to announce whether he will nominate for the leadership, but one Labor insider has confirmed "he is 100 per cent going to contest".

The ABC has been told the ambitious 39-year-old will struggle to win the support of his colleagues.

Mr Minns contested the leadership in November when Luke Foley resigned over allegations of sexual harassment but lost to Mr Daley 33 votes to 12.

A Labor MP has told the ABC "he doesn't necessarily have any more support [now] than he had [back then]".

More than one Labor figure has told the ABC Mr Minns is perceived as arrogant and out of touch with his electorate.

And his previous role as the party's former assistant secretary has put him offside with the ALP's general secretary, Kaila Murnain.

"He is a political apparatchik," said one insider.

"He has had little life outside of politics … he's not a team player, not a hard worker."

Jodi McKay

Jodi McKay has backed Shelley Hancock's call to make the inquiry public. ( AAP: Nikki Short )

Jodi McKay is firming as the favoured candidate among Labor sources, with one saying: "I think Jodi McKay will enjoy more support than Chris Minns and will win."

But another MP said neither Ms McKay or Mr Minns enjoyed overwhelming support and the leadership would be a question of "who's the least hopeless".

"Jodi's internal politics are terrible," the same MP told the ABC.

"She's got a natural ability to put people offside … but her external politics are the other way.

"She presents well, she's consistently good on her feet in the house, she's got more experience than Chris."

Kate Washington

Kate Washington is the Member for Port Stephens. ( ABC: Rob Virtue )

Kate Washington is in the game to ensure Mr Minns does not win the leadership by default.

Insiders have told the ABC she would step aside if Ms McKay decided to nominate for the top job.

One MP said Ms Washington had the support of Sussex Street, which is understood to want "anyone but Chris Minns".

"She is a decoy … to force the hand of others," another source said.

Some MPs have expressed surprise that Ms Washington's name is in the mix because she had not previously indicated an interest in the leadership.

But others said there was a need for a fresh perspective.

"There's appetite for a woman given what's happened with [Labor's] succession of white males," one insider said.

Ryan Park

Ryan Park has backed down and will no longer contest. ( Facebook: Ryan Park )

According to insiders, Mr Park's name repeatedly popped up as a possible leadership contender and there was broad consensus he would have the numbers to be successful.

But late last week he decided not to contest the leadership.

"He was in, then he was out, then he was in and now he's back out," one MP told the ABC.

"It's not the right time in his life."

Mr Park's withdrawal means it will be a question of whether Ms Washington or Ms McKay runs against Mr Minns.

What is clear is that only one person will challenge Mr Minns for the job.

"Everyone is still sifting through the options so we can make a four-year investment," one source said.

"We need to choose wisely and not have buyer's remorse."