Two federal Liberal Party vice-presidents are considering their future roles given proposed new rules about the influence of lobbyists.

Earlier this week Tony Abbott confirmed he wanted to change the rules for lobbyists to "try to ensure that there are no conflicts of interest, real or apparent".

"I'm determined to ensure that you can either be a powerbroker or a lobbyist, but you can't be both," he said.

Former Liberal foreign minister turned lobbyist Alexander Downer has confirmed he would be willing to give up his position on the party's executive.

Mr Downer is a federal Liberal Party vice-president and is also part-owner of the lobbying firm Bespoke Approach.

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"I've been on the federal executive of the Liberal Party for a few years, and if it happens that I'd have to resign from that then I'd be happy to do that," he told the ABC's The World Today program.

But Mr Downer played down his elected role in the Liberal Party.

"It's not a paid job. It doesn't involve much activity. It's really just a way of providing some support for the party," he said.

Santo Santoro, who was previously a Liberal representative in the Queensland and federal parliaments, is also a lobbyist with a vice-presidency of the Liberal Party.

Mr Santoro has told the ABC he wants to see the details of Mr Abbott's proposal before making any decisions about his role in the party.

Two NSW lobbyists resign from party roles

The proposal comes at the same time as similar changes in New South Wales.

Lobbyists in the state will no longer be able to hold official roles within political parties from the end of next month.

Premier Barry O'Farrell announced he was adding the rule to the lobbyist code of conduct to remove any perception or potential for conflicts of interest.

As a result, NSW Liberal powerbroker Michael Photios resigned from his official role with the state executive.

Mr Photios runs lobbying firm Premier State and has been under pressure recently over his influence on the State Government.

Joe Tannous, who owns lobby group 1st State, also announced his resignation from the NSW Liberal state executive.

Before he left the Liberal National Party, wealthy businessman Clive Palmer was pushing for similar rules to stop lobbyists having too much control.

Mr Palmer, now a federal candidate for his own Palmer United Party, says there is a clear conflict in allowing lobbyists to hold official party roles.