Malcolm Turnbull's new front bench is a combination of political strategy and pure mathematics.
The Nationals are the clear winners.
Having increased the proportion of members in the joint party room at the election, the Nationals by sheer numbers forced the prime minister's hand in appointing two members into ministerial ranks.
Turnbull and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce have also ensured the party's portfolios are a better fit for their interests and the regions they represent.
The junior coalition partners get a new cabinet minister in Matt Canavan, who takes on resources and northern Australia.
The downside is the expanded cabinet of 23 members is the largest since 1975, which could prove unwieldy.
Michael McCormack has been promoted to small business minister, spearheading the push in the new parliament for greater protections against big business.
Cabinet minister and deputy leader Fiona Nash adds local government and territories to her existing role.
Assistant ministries for Keith Pitt, Luke Hartsuyker and David Gillespie cover trade, investment, tourism and rural health - all vital issues for rural and regional Australia.
Turnbull has found no room for more women in cabinet, which was a negative for his predecessor Tony Abbott.
Taking the small business portfolio out of cabinet is risky, given it is a core constituency.
However, as Turnbull noted at his media conference on Monday: "Every minister is a minister for small business."
Combining energy and environment could also bring risks but also set the government up for a more comprehensive climate policy - taking it beyond the basic "direct action" plan of the Abbott government.
Discussion about the need for Turnbull to keep conservatives close to his side has resulted in one promotion - ACT senator Zed Seselja being appointed assistant minister for social services and multicultural affairs.
Political strategy was the key reason behind the appointment of South Australian MP Christopher Pyne to take on a new role of defence industry minister.
Shoring up seats in SA, as well as marginal seats in other states with a large defence industry presence, will be key to the Turnbull government's return and Pyne has shown himself to be a strong political performer.
Turnbull's latest reshuffle, coming less than a year since he took power, makes some modest changes while keeping in place a team which has yet to be tested in any major way.
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