The NSW Liberals are heading towards a showdown with three MPs hauled before the Independent Commission Against Corruption's inquiry into political donations after they dismissed moves designed to force them to quit the party.
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The NSW Liberal state executive has signalled that if Londonderry MP Bart Bassett, Swansea MP Garry Edwards and Port Stephens MP Craig Baumann do not resign so the party can proceed with fresh preselections they could be expelled within weeks.
However, Mr Bassett, the member for Londonderry who is seeking preselection for the seat of Riverstone, declared on Monday he has "no intention of resigning from the Liberal party".
"Preselection is an internal Liberal Party matter which cannot be spoken about outside the Party," Mr Bassett said.
"Likewise, I cannot speak about party membership decisions, although I have no intention of resigning from the Liberal Party."
Mr Edwards said the push for his resignation meant that "'as far as process goes someone has really jumped the gun. There haven't been any ICAC findings and there won't be until January."
Their statements follow that of Mr Baumann, who said on Sunday that he had "no desire" to step aside and that no one from head office had suggested he do so.
Mr Bassett, Mr Baumann and Swansea MP Garry Edwards quit the parliamentary Liberal party and moved to the cross bench after their appearances at ICAC, but remain members of the broader organisation.
Mr Baumann and Mr Edwards are still the preselected Liberal MPs for their seats at next year's state election.
A senior Liberal has told Fairfax Media the MPs need to consider their positions in light of evidence presented at the ICAC.
Mr Baumann joined the crossbench in September after the ICAC heard that he took $79,684 in secret donations from developers Jeff McCloy and Hilton Grugeon before the 2007 election. He hid payments by issuing "sham" invoices.
Although this occurred before the 2010 ban on developer donations, Mr Baumann, the former mayor of Port Stephens, agreed the reason for hiding their identity was that both developers could have profited from a proposed development at Wallalong, near Maitland.
Mr Bassett stepped aside after allegations were made at ICAC that a company associated with coal mogul Nathan Tinkler made an illegal donation of $18,000 for Mr Bassett's campaign for the seat of Londonderry in December 2010.
As Hawkesbury mayor, Mr Bassett voted for a new residential land strategy in North Richmond favouring Mr Tinkler's company in May 2011.
Mr Edwards stood aside after property developer Jeff McCloy admitted he gave cash in an envelope to Mr Edwards before the 2011 election.
