PM will lie low during NSW poll: Greiner

Former Liberal premier Nick Greiner doesn't expect an under-siege Tony Abbott to be "front and centre" on the NSW election campaign trail.

The prime minister's sagging popularity and ongoing speculation about his leadership have some state Liberal MPs concerned there might be an anti-Abbott voter backlash against them at next month's election.

"I am sure that Abbott will be present at some events but he won't be front and centre," Mr Greiner said at a business lunch alongside former Labor premier Morris Iemma.

"He wouldn't expect to be (and) given the circumstances he wouldn't want to be."

Premier Mike Baird has avoided saying whether he'd like Mr Abbott campaigning alongside him.

Mr Iemma agreed the NSW election will be decided on state issues but said there was a small percentage of people who like having a premier and prime minister from different political parties and who will likely vote against Mr Baird.

"That small percentage will go heavily against Mike Baird for reasons that have nothing to do with him ... but primarily because of the style and tone of the government in Canberra and in that, the prime minister," he said.