In an ideal world, Malcolm Turnbull's line about being prepared to change and innovate would be believable.
But politics is a far from ideal world.
The prime minister has been forced into a bigger than expected reshuffle due to scandal and ineptitude.
Fortunately for him, there is a depth of talent in the coalition's ranks and especially some strong-performing women.
Being the eternal optimist, Turnbull on Saturday talked about the government being an "organism" that - without regular change - would die.
Unfortunately, the organism that is the coalition government looks more like a flailing salmon in its death-throes on a rock than a sleek swordfish making its nonchalant way towards its next meal.
Ministerial scandals and a lack of direction over tax reform and the economy have taken the shine off the Turnbull government.
But the prime minister and his strategists are hopeful that a new frontbench lineup can buff off some of the mess of the past few months.
Turnbull has put his money on the Nationals putting in a strong campaigning effort in rural, regional and coastal seats by delivering the junior partner four cabinet seats.
The Nationals will be needed to neutralise a number of low-key, but important, issues for regional voters such as mobile phone blackspots, hospitals and specialist health care, roads and the future of local news media.
Putting Queenslander Matt Canavan into the northern Australia portfolio ends the ludicrous situation of having an inner-Melbourne MP in the role.
Keeping the retiring Andrew Robb on as a trade envoy, working with the new minister Steve Ciobo, is a sound move which will help smooth the path for at least an Australia-India free trade agreement before the election.
Turnbull has also laid to rest Tony Abbott's extraordinary sidelining of women in the ministry, with six now in cabinet and 10 in the executive overall.
With a wealth of retirements due at the next election, the prime minister has made the most of the coalition's new guard and potentially set himself as a long-term leader.
But only if they can behave themselves better than their predecessors.
