LIBERAL MPs have overwhelmingly backed Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond amid revelations she had considered quitting state politics.

Their support also comes amid growing expectation Ms Redmond would be dumped as the party's leader by the end of the year.

Ms Redmond yesterday was plunged into the worst crisis of her three-year leadership after admitting she had considered a run for the Senate.

It followed a call from former Liberal state candidate Matthew Donovan for her to be dumped.

The admission has raised fresh doubts about Ms Redmond's commitment to leading the state's Liberals.

A senior Liberal source yesterday said it appeared her leadership was in a "death spiral" and that Ms Redmond could be replaced - most likely by health spokesman Martin Hamilton-Smith, within weeks.

The Advertiser yesterday contacted all Liberal party-room members to gauge Ms Redmond's support. And at a media conference in McLaren Vale yesterday, Mr Hamilton-Smith explicitly refused to rule out a challenge.

"My only comment on the leadership is to repeat that Isobel Redmond and the leadership group have my full support," he said. "I voted for her three years ago. She had my full support then, she has had it since."

Other Liberal MPs gave unanimous public support for Ms Redmond to stay until the 2014 campaign.

They include frontbenchers suggested as replacements, Vickie Chapman, Iain Evans and Steven Marshall.

Ms Redmond admitted on ABC Radio yesterday she had been approached by an ally to run for the Senate spot claimed on Friday night by Renmark businesswoman Anne Ruston. In a later media conference, Ms Redmond said the approach had not been made by a state MP.

"I'm not going to disclose who it was," she said. "There was a person who suggested that I think about the Senate. I dismissed it because, quite frankly, I believe that I can do more as the premier of South Australia. I think it was a serious suggestion and I certainly considered it, but dismissed it."

Ms Redmond said it was "irrelevant" how long it had taken her to reject the idea. Asked if she had given an answer straight away, she said: "Pretty much".

She said she wanted to be honest with the public and denied she should have covered up the approach.

Both Liberal factions yesterday pointed the finger at each other as likely sources of the suggestion. There has been unrest over Ms Redmond's performance since before Christmas but has grown amid criticism of her "small target" strategy and failure to hit Premier Jay Weatherill.

Several Liberal sources yesterday said the clock was ticking on her leadership.

"This has all of the tell-tale signs of a death spiral about it," one senior Liberal said.

"Isobel just hasn't shown any ability in the past to fight back from adversity. I can't see her doing it this time."

Parliament is in recess until September 4. A special party-room meeting requires three days' notice.

Yesterday's turmoil capped off two months of damaging developments for Ms Redmond and follows an embarrassing party room rebuff to her chosen deputy, Mitch Williams, in a vote to elect state council delegates.nte

Ms Redmond's admission that she had considered federal politics has sparked more questions about her judgment, with one Liberal saying they were "gobsmacked" that Ms Redmond had allowed a new round of destabilisation to flare up.

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Those who have lost faith in her leadership also admit the difficulties associated with forcing a change. Among the possible replacements are failed former leaders who carry significant baggage.

Up-and-coming frontbencher Steven Marshall is seen as a future leader but considered too inexperienced to take the reins now. There is some support for a ticket that places Mr Marshall as Mr Hamilton-Smith's deputy.

While many say Mr Hamilton-Smith made grave errors as leader, headlined by the "dodgy documents" affair, others argue he has a strong record of attacking the Government and has learnt from past mistakes.

Originally published as Liberal MPs back Redmond - for now