Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has rejected calls to promote his predecessor Tony Abbott to the front bench, saying his focus is on introducing "fresh talent" to the cabinet.
"Unless people move on, you can't bring new people in," he told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.
"Unless some of the men retire or leave the ministry, you can't bring the women in."
Mr Abbott has declared he intends to stay in parliament at least until the next election after being deposed as Liberal leader by Mr Turnbull in September.
Dumped cabinet minister Eric Abetz has insisted it is important for party unity that Mr Abbott be given a prominent frontbench slot in any reshuffle following the loss of two ministers on Tuesday.
"I hope that there will be a place for him, a prominent place for him, in any future ministry," he told ABC radio.
It's understood the reshuffle would likely be delayed until early next year, amid speculation Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss will announce his retirement before parliament resumes in February.
Mr Turnbull is expected to reshuffle his ministry after Special Minister of State Mal Brough stood aside on Tuesday amid mounting pressure over the James Ashby affair.
On the same day, Cities Minister Jamie Briggs quit over an "error of professional judgment" involving a female public servant at a Hong Kong bar.
Mr Briggs reportedly suggested the woman had piercing eyes, putting his arm around her and kissing her on the neck, News Ltd reports.
Labor has accused Mr Turnbull of attempting to dodge scrutiny over both scandals, making the announcement in a written media statement during a quiet time of the year.
Acting Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek says he needs to explain why he suddenly decided to stand Mr Brough aside, after defending him for weeks.
"You have a pattern of behaviour here where the prime minister likes to go out on the razzle-dazzle announcements, the good news stories, but when there's actually anything difficult to be done or anything difficult to be said on behalf of the government, he's nowhere," she told the ABC on Wednesday.
She said she'd been assured the woman who made the complaint regarding Mr Briggs had not been penalised for raising the issue.
Mr Turnbull said the timing of the announcements was made following due process.
"The announcement about Mr Briggs was made on the first business day after Christmas," he said.
Although he refused to describe the Hong Kong incident in detail, Mr Turnbull said it was a serious matter and "did not live up to the standard required of ministers".
Mr Brough was advised by his lawyers the investigations into his conduct were unlikely to be completed before parliament resumed in February, Mr Turnbull said.
"It's a political decision but of course he hasn't been charged with anything, let alone found guilty of anything, so it's essentially a political judgment," he said.
The timing of both announcements was "perfectly appropriate", Mr Turnbull said.
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