Key NSW government figures hope the implosion of their federal Liberal colleagues will prompt an early election, clearing the air before a state election in March.

As Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's leadership tilted on the verge of collapse on Thursday, MPs and strategists in the NSW government felt an early federal election would "lance the anger" towards the Liberal brand.

One senior minister said most state Liberal MPs would be of the view that an early federal election would be best for the state government.