Malcolm Turnbull's ministry reshuffle is designed to achieve some distance from Tony Abbott's legacy, but not cut off the link altogether.
The man behind the Abbott government's poorly received first budget, Joe Hockey, is out, despite his better effort this year.
Abbott stalwarts Eric Abetz and Kevin Andrews follow Hockey out the door, as does Ian Macfarlane and Michael Ronaldson.
The former prime minister, who brought back knights and dames to Australian honours, was routinely criticised for being out of touch with modern Australia.
This was something pointedly underlined by Turnbull in his media conference.
"Today I'm announcing a 21st century government and a ministry for the future," Turnbull said.
The biggest surprise of the post-Abbott shakeup is the appointment of NSW senator Marise Payne as defence minister, after it was speculated Christopher Pyne may get the gig.
But defence sources told AAP she is well respected for her work on parliament's defence and foreign affairs committee, especially the Howard government's first tranche of anti-terrorism laws in 2003-04.
She will be one of five women in the cabinet. Abbott only appointed one, Julie Bishop, after the 2013 election.
Turnbull has made a few errors, though.
Surprisingly Bruce Billson - who almost single-handedly saved the 2015 budget with his small business package - also leaves cabinet and did not take up an offer of an outer ministry role.
Turnbull will miss Billson's extraordinary ability to sell the government's message and build bridges with the business community.
He has also left Peter Dutton in charge of the immigration portfolio, despite Dutton's staunch support for Abbott and a series of stumbles in his previous job as health minister as well as his latest role.
Melbourne-based MP Josh Frydenberg may be one of the best minds in the new-look cabinet, but some eyebrows will be raised north of the Tweed with his appointment as minister for northern Australia.
Turnbull has been careful in putting in place a new economic team.
Scott Morrison will bring a no-nonsense approach to the treasurer's role and assistant treasurer Kelly O'Dwyer will play a pivotal sales role as the cabinet designs a palatable tax package to take to the next election.
Christopher Pyne will back up the economic message with his appointment to a new mega-portfolio covering industry, innovation and science, working alongside cabinet newcomer Simon Birmingham as education minister.
Turnbull says innovation will enable Australia to be more agile and seize new economic opportunities.
Kevin Andrews, the former defence minister, went public on Sunday with his "disappointment" not to be reappointed to the ministry.
It's worth remembering 30 conservative members of the Liberal party room supported his bid to be deputy leader last week.
He has urged the new leader to remember the Liberals bring together two "great political traditions" - liberal and conservative.
In putting together his first frontbench, Turnbull appears to have achieved this.
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