As a former campaign director for the NSW Liberals and strategist for a number of federal polls, Morrison knows what is needed to build momentum ahead of an election due by May 2019.

By putting urban infrastructure and population into one portfolio, held by Melbourne-based minister Alan Tudge, the prime minister puts a sharp focus on two related issues which are concerning city voters and driving many to consider voting for parties such as One Nation.

Similarly, Sydney-based David Coleman will nuance the government's message on immigration, citizenship and multicultural affairs in a way blunt-instrument Peter Dutton could not.

With the coalition keen to make Bill Shorten's links with militant unions a key election attack point, Kelly O'Dwyer - a former staffer under ex-treasurer Peter Costello - is well placed as jobs and industrial relations minister to take up the fight.

Any pretence of wanting to be ambitious on tackling climate change has been dumped with Angus Taylor, who made a name for opposing wind farms, taking on the energy portfolio - freshly separated from the environment role.

However he will bring his economic know-how - learned in Oxford and honed in McKinsey and Co - to the vexing question of how to bring down power prices.

It will also enable new environment minister Melissa Price to focus on meeting the Paris emissions targets and saving the Great Barrier Reef - despite her living in Western Australia.

Dan Tehan's no-nonsense approach to everything he's touched as a minister will give the coalition an opening to solving the problem of Catholic and independent school funding which could cost them marginal seats if not fixed within the next few months.

Keeping a number of seasoned players in their positions will ensure continuity.

Adding the public service as a stand-alone focus area for Finance Minister Mathias Cormann will enable him to implement the findings of a landmark inquiry into the bureaucracy and find new savings in the budget.

Australian Associated Press