The only woman likely to serve in the coalition cabinet says she expects Tony Abbott to stick with the same team he took to the federal election for his frontbench.
Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop says there are many talented women in the coalition and over time, they could be elevated to key positions within the ministry and cabinet.
"But at this time Tony's indicated that he wants to maintain the stability of the team that he took to the election," she told Network Ten on Sunday.
Prime minister-elect Tony Abbott is expected to announce an unchanged senior team on Monday, with the new ministers to be sworn in at Government House in Canberra on Wednesday.
Mr Abbott's leadership team has already faced some criticism over Ms Bishop being the only woman in a senior cabinet position.
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The only other female frontbencher Sophie Mirabella - who looks set to lose her Victorian seat of Indi - has asked Mr Abbott not to consider her for a spot as the vote count continues.
Ms Bishop said there were a number of "outstanding" women who would be joining parliament as new members and they would eventually be up for promotion.
The incoming foreign minister has also been forced to deny the Abbott government has upset Indonesia over its border protection policy.
Ms Bishop will meet Indonesia's foreign minister Marty Natalegawa, who has reportedly criticised parts of the coalition's asylum-seeker policy, the week after next in New York.
She won't be flying first class, instructing staff to pass up the $32,000 fares at the pointy end for business class instead.
Her austerity comes as Mr Abbott prepares to move into a no-frills apartment near parliament while The Lodge is under renovation.
"I think it's a good thing to save Australian taxpayers' money," she said.
Acting Deputy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was nothing new: Julia Gillard stayed in the same accommodation during her prime ministership.
As Mr Abbott sets his new government in motion, Labor is fending off concerns that whoever eventually leads the party could be undermined if they don't have support of both caucus and rank-and-file members.
The month-long leadership contest between Mr Albanese and Bill Shorten will give members and parliamentarians an equal say.
Labor's national executive meets on Monday to decide the terms of the leadership contest.
Mr Albanese is tipped to win the support of Labor's members, but Mr Shorten is said to have majority backing in caucus, raising questions about whether the eventual leader's authority could be undermined by the new rules.
Mr Albanese said if done correctly, the ballot process could give Labor "enormous momentum" at the beginning of a difficult time.
"You can't have three or four people in a room or in a restaurant deciding the future of the Labor party," he told Sky News on Sunday.
Acting Treasurer Chris Bowen dismissed suggestions that whoever wins the leadership ballot may lack legitimacy.
"If they can put that case to Labor Party members and supporters, then they can put the case to the Australian people over the next three years," he told Sky News.
