Liberals to decide future of NSW party

Liberal Party members from across NSW are gathering in Sydney to debate historic changes to rules which it is hoped will boost the party's membership base.

FUTURE OF NSW LIBERAL PARTY

* About 1500 NSW Liberal members will gather in Sydney for a special convention on July 22-23.

* The Liberal Party claims 80,000 members nationally in 2000 branches, with about 11,000 in NSW.

* The bulk of grassroots members are conservative, while factional power within the organisation lies with moderates and the "soft" right.

* Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, federal President Nick Greiner and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian will address the convention.

* Mr Turnbull says the party needs to grow its membership and in order to do so members need a greater say on candidates, policies and filling party positions.

* Members say they want to be heard, respected and engaged on candidates and policy.

* Tony Abbott says major change is needed to end power of factions and lobbyists, with a "one member one vote" plebiscite system for selecting candidates; you would have to be a party member for at least two years to vote in a plebiscite, rather than six months; sitting members would not be exempt from challenge under new rules.

* An alternative set of motions calls for sitting MPs to be exempt from plebiscites; candidates need to meet an "eligibility test" (run by a new candidate assessment board) and members must meet an "activity test" in order to vote; new members would not be able to vote in plebiscites for up to four years; 25 per cent of preselection delegates would be state executive and state council delegates.

* Final result is expected to be a compromise.