New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged party unity at the New South Wales Liberal State Council meeting, in the face of dissent over the bill to decriminalise abortion.

Key points: Delegates voted down a move to condemn the bill by 236 to 217

Delegates voted down a move to condemn the bill by 236 to 217 Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged her party to "move forward together"

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged her party to "move forward together" The bill will be debated in the Upper House in a week's time

Ms Berejiklian went into the meeting after weeks of party-room division and her majority Government under threat.

Liberal backbenchers Tanya Davies and Kevin Connolly have said they will move to the crossbench if amendments are not made to the bill.

Outside the meeting, the pair addressed hundreds of protesters opposing abortion, but that open anger did not extend inside.

"During these times we listen to each other, respect each other," the Premier told nearly 1,000 party members.

"And move forward together."

Ms Berejiklian escaped potentially damaging criticism, after a motion to condemn the bill was defeated before it was debated.

Delegates voted it down 236 to 217.

"I am disappointed," Mr Connolly said.

"That was a fairly close result and, given the reality of the division, it would have been healthier to allow people to talk."

The Premier did face questions about the bill, in a closed session, but the ABC understands the reception was not hostile.

Nineteen out of 33 Liberals voted against the bill that passed the Lower House a month ago.

Amendments to the bill are still being negotiated before they will be debated in the Upper House in a week's time.