Senior Liberals say the change of leadership has been bruising and painful but government members need to move on.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is considering a boost in the number of women on the frontbench and ditching veteran ministers before his new cabinet is sworn in on Monday.
Scott Morrison, who is widely expected to replace Joe Hockey as treasurer despite backing Tony Abbott in Monday night's party room ballot, said those who were disappointed in the leadership result should not dwell on it.
"I understand that there are many people in the country today who would have been disappointed and would have felt very hurt about the loss of our prime minister on Monday night," he told reporters.
"I understand that. But ... we can't spend days and days and days focusing on those matters."
Assistant Education Minister Simon Birmingham, who backed Mr Turnbull, said the past few days had been "damaging and bruising times".
"I hope all members of the government will come together and work co-operatively," he said.
The elevation of Mr Turnbull has had an instant effect, with a ReachTel poll for the Seven Network putting the coalition and Labor at 50-50 in two-party terms.
However, it was met with cynicism by Labor.
"I think if (maverick conservative senator) Cory Bernardi had replaced Tony Abbott, they would've got a bounce in the polls," Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese said.
Labor leader Bill Shorten said a "drover's dog" would have lifted the government's stocks.
"If we don't see a repudiation of the harsh extreme policies of the last two years then all they've done is changed the salesman but not the product," he said.
Veteran Liberal MP Philip Ruddock said the leadership change was not a personal judgment about Mr Abbott.
"I suspect one of the factors is the extent to which you are able to argue your case in a persuasive way and bring people with you," he told Sky News.
Mr Turnbull has spoken with all of the Senate crossbenchers and plans to meet Greens leader Richard Di Natale in coming days.
Senator Di Natale said he'd be seeking an end to subsidies for major corporations and tax breaks for the wealthy and better funding for health and education.
Mr Turnbull hinted in parliament, in answer to a Labor question, that he was open to reviewing a wide range of Abbott government policies.
"Every policy of any rational, constructive government is always under review," he said.
Senator Birmingham, Michaelia Cash, Marise Payne, Kelly O'Dwyer and Arthur Sinodinos are considered likely for promotion, while Eric Abetz and Kevin Andrews are expected to be dumped from cabinet.
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