Former communications minister Paul Fletcher could be forced to defend his prized federal seat of Bradfield from an internal threat at the NSW Liberals’ first high-stakes party meeting of the year, where members will also consider a proposal to expel one-time immigration minister Alex Hawke.

As NSW Liberal officials emphasise the need for unity and discipline to put the party on a war footing ahead of the next federal election, members expect potentially dramatic scenes and factional sparring at the party’s state council meeting scheduled for February 24.