Liberal members seeking reform to tackle rampant factionalism say a push to install former federal minister Philip Ruddock as the NSW party president could set back much-needed change.
Mr Ruddock is heading what has been described as a cross-factional "unity" ticket to take over the NSW state executive at the party's annual meeting on February 10.
It has been speculated the ticket has the support of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Ms Berejiklian said she would not comment on "internal party machinations".
"But all I will say is I've long admired Philip Ruddock as an outstanding human being," she told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
Party reformer and senator-elect Jim Molan said in an email message to supporters that only by implementing a resolution passed at a special convention last year could real change be made.
The reformers are seeking grassroots votes or plebiscites to decide on Liberal candidates and official positions.
It is understood the "unity" ticket headed by Mr Ruddock would deliver a state executive comprising six conservatives, four from the centre-right and nine from the dominant moderate or "left" faction.
"This might represent the compromised delegate distribution between factions after a decade of domination by the 'lobbyist left', but it does not represent how you voted at Rosehill (special convention). It is meaningless," Senator-elect Molan wrote, along with another reformer Walter Villatora.
They pointed out that in the same-sex marriage debate the Liberal Party felt obliged to implement the wishes of Australian voters and did so.
"At Rosehill, the members of the party voted for the Warringah motions (now called the Rosehill Resolution) and against phony reform, by a larger margin than Australians voted for same-sex marriage. Yet the party is rigging this to ignore their members' clearly stated wishes.
"We have a simple message: We can win this and win full democratic reform."
The reform movement is proposing a ticket including Mr Villatora, lawyer Philip Argy and former MP Jo Gash.
They have the support of former prime minister John Howard, federal minister Angus Taylor and former prime minister Tony Abbott.
The Democratic Reform Movement will be contesting all 54 positions, including the presidency, at the state council meeting.
Mr Ruddock told The Australian newspaper he supported the party being "much more open in its processes of selecting candidates".
"I will be able to effect change that will make us a much more effective organisation."
Senator-elect Molan is expected to deliver his first speech to parliament on February 5.
