- Winners and losers in Abbott cabinet shake-up
- Comment: The big winner in Abbott's reshuffle is the ambitious Scott Morrison
- Politicians born abroad: meet the migrants in our parliament
KEY POINTS:
- Scott Morrison moved out of the Immigration portfolio
- Science portfolio reinstated
- More women in cabinet: second female minister, two female parliamentary secretaries
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says his new frontbench team will "reset and refocus" the government for the new year.
Mr Abbott announced a major reshuffle on Sunday, dumping Defence Minister David Johnston and naming Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews in his place.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has been moved into an expanded social services portfolio, and Sussan Ley promoted to the health ministry and cabinet.
Meanwhile, her predecessor Peter Dutton has been given the immigration portfolio.
The reshuffle just days before Christmas is an attempt to reboot the coalition, who by the Prime Minister's own admission had a "ragged" end to 2014.
"This is a good team. It is a strong team. It is a balanced team," he told reporters in Canberra.
"It will put jobs and families at the heart of our political agenda for 2015."
As predicted, the Prime Minister used Senator Sinodinos' resignation to axe his defence minister, who came under fire for saying he would not trust government-owned shipbuilder ASC to build a canoe.
The Prime Minister defended Senator Johnston, but said "no one goes on forever."
"David has done a fine job as defence minister. He has copped a bit of flack, unfairly," he said.
Mr Andrews would would be a "very, very safe pair of hands", he said.
See the full list of the Abbott ministry:
The Prime Minister heaped praise on outgoing Immigration Minister Scott Morrison, saying he was a master of difficult policy and administration who had all but stopped the boats.
As part of an expanded social services portfolio Mr Morrison will have responsibility for child care and Mr Abbott's signature paid parental leave scheme, as well as the government's unpopular welfare reforms.
"He is a very tough and competent political operator but he is also an extremely decent human being," the Prime Minister said.
"We need good judgment in these areas and that is exactly what you will get from Scott Morrison."
The elevation of Ms Ley to cabinet has been accompanied by the promotion of Kelly O'Dwyer and Karen Andrews as parliamentary secretaries, addressing long-standing criticism of the lack of women in the ministry.
Mr Abbott was pleased the number of women on his frontbench had increased, but stressed all appointments were made on merit.
Acting Opposition Leader Penny Wong said no reshuffle could fix the government's biggest problem, its unpopular budget.
"You might change the tyres on the bus but the wheels are still spinning," she said.
Greens leader Christine Milne said it was the government's policies that the public objected to.
"He can change the faces but it is the policies that have to change," she said.
