Premier Gladys Berejiklian will attempt to shift attention back to Labor's donations scandal and away from her own party's internal warfare over the controversial abortion bill and a corruption probe into a minister.

After a bruising day, the government moved to remind the public of the opposition's donation woes, announcing they would introduce Australian-first laws to cap cash political donations at $100.

Sports Minister John Sidoti was grilled for two hours over his property investments at budget estimates last week. AAP

Embattled Sports Minister John Sidoti on Tuesday was forced to stand aside from cabinet, creating another headache for Ms Berejiklian just hours after rebel MPs threatened her leadership.

Mr Sidoti stood aside after Ms Berejiklian received confirmation from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that it had started investigations into his property interests.

But despite sitting on the backbench until the investigation is concluded, Mr Sidoti will continue to receive his $265,000 ministerial salary as well as his driver and government car.

The move came just hours after three Liberal MPs - Tanya Davies, Matthew Mason-Cox and Lou Amato - abandoned their plans to move a leadership spill motion against Ms Berejiklian.

The trio caught colleagues off guard on Monday night when they said they had no option but to move the motion against the Premier because of her "shameful" handling of the abortion bill.

Several MPs and the majority of her cabinet immediately come out in support of Ms Berejiklian.

Early on Tuesday, the rebel MPs decided not to go ahead with the spill motion at a party room meeting, with Mrs Davies saying she had been offered "concessions" on the abortion bill.

The party room meeting was "business as usual", according to several MPs, and despite their planned strike on Ms Berejiklian, the three MPs did not speak or raise their concerns.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian avoided a leadership spill over proposed changes to abortion laws.

The contentious bill has returned for debate in the upper house but it has already been amended, which means it will have to go back to the lower house before it becomes law.

Labor is embroiled in an ICAC hearing centred on a $100,000 cash donation from a banned donor. The ICAC hearing has already claimed the state party's boss, Kaila Murnain.

Ms Berejiklian said she had been "shocked" by what had emerged at ICAC and the new laws would see NSW become the first jurisdiction to cap cash donations made to political parties.

But Mr Sidoti's investigation will also put pressure on the Berejiklian government, with two senior ministers saying they were "doubtful" that Mr Sidoti would return to cabinet.

Mr Sidoti was grilled for two hours in budget estimates last week about his property interests in Rouse Hill, near the Tallawong metro station, and in Five Dock, near a potential future metro site.

After his appearance, Labor leader Jodi McKay referred him to ICAC.

Ms Berejiklian also faces the risk that Mrs Davies will follow through with her threats and defect to the crossbench over the government's handling of the abortion bill.

The government only has a two-seat majority.

Mrs Davies would not comment on her future on Tuesday and said her focus was "working hard to get a better bill".

But an MP close to her said they had "every reason to believe that what Tanya says she does".

The actions of the rebel MPs angered many of their colleagues, with several senior MPs describing them as being driven by "anger and bitterness".

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said he wished the three rogue MPs would “focus on the issue at hand rather than the politics of this”.

“They’re entitled to their view, but what an incredible endorsement of 'Glad' overnight, I mean the entire cabinet has come out, most members of the government have come out and said ‘This is ridiculous, back in your box’,” Mr Constance said on Tuesday.

He described Ms Berejiklian as a “phenomenal Premier” and the three rebel MPs “looked a bit silly”.