The NSW government's ability to pass legislation is in doubt after a key independent threatened to withdraw his support over Premier Dominic Perrottet's comments on transgender people in sport.
Sydney MP Alex Greenwich said he would consider withdrawing his support for supply and confidence in the government if the Premier maintained his current stance.
"The trans community, and young trans people in particular, are being used as a political punching bag," Mr Greenwich told ABC Radio Sydney.
"I'm asking the Premier to leave young trans kids alone, let them flourish, let them be themselves."
Mr Perrottet weighed into the debate on transgender people in sport this week, saying he believed "girls should play competitive sport against girls".
It followed transphobic comments by federal Liberal candidate for Warringah, Katherine Deves, who said she wanted to ban trans women from female sports.
Ms Deves, who co-founded the Save Women’s Sport lobby group, has apologised for the language she used on social media, including a post which said transgender children were "surgically mutilated and sterilised".
Mr Greenwich said he had set up a meeting between him, Mr Perrottet and trans advocates to discuss the issue.
"I'm hoping we can sit down and he can actually understand the issue," Mr Greenwich said.
"I'm happy to bring sporting codes so he can hear from them directly.
"And if you talk to trans people, they just want politicians to stay out of their lives, to let them flourish, to let them be part of community without this judgement."
Lake Macquarie Independent MP Greg Piper, who initially said he was "considering his position", said he would continue to back supply and confidence after speaking with the Premier.
Mr Perrottet today stood by his opinion but he said he would meet with Mr Greenwich to discuss the matter.
"When issues arise that people would like to raise with me, my door is always open to have those discussions," Mr Perrottet told ABC Radio Sydney.
"It's probably likely on this issue that Alex and I will disagree, but we've also disagreed on issues in the past."
The NSW Coalition needs to win 47 seats in the lower house to govern in majority but it currently only holds 45 after a series of resignations and a loss in a by-election.
Liberal MP John Sidoti moved to the crossbench in March 2021 after the Independent Commission Against Corruption announced it was investigating him over his property dealings.
The seat of Bega fell to Labor candidate Michael Holland in February after the resignation of senior Liberal minister Andrew Constance triggered a by-election.
And former Liberal MP and member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, who is facing criminal charges of indecent and sexual assault, was suspended from parliament in March.
NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns said Labor would not be moving or supporting a motion of no confidence in the government.
"The choice of government should be left to the voters in March 2023," Mr Minns said.
In a statement to the ABC, the NSW Department of Education said student participation in sport was considered on an individual basis.
"Our schools manage student participation in sports at a local level, sensitively considering individual students' needs," it said.
