A toxic battle for power and media attention is behind the disintegrating relationship between the state's Deputy Premier and Justice and Police Minister Troy Grant and Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton, according to several government sources.

One senior government source has said the pair's relationship had soured to the point where they were "barely on speaking terms" outside of work commitments.

"Barely on speaking terms": Deputy Premier Troy Grant and NSW Attorney General Gabrielle Upton during the Law Crime and Community Safety Council meeting at Old Parliament House in Canberra last week. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Fairfax Media understands tension is at boiling point over who has control of what, and which minister is responsible for policy announcements from the Department of Justice to the media.

For example, on Friday the Deputy Premier announced a $10 million fund, for community safety grants of up to $250,000 each. The initiative was originally announced by former Attorney-General Brad Hazzard in March.