Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull insists he has appointed incoming new ministers on merit. They do not include ousted leader Tony Abbott or Joe Hockey, who was treasurer.
The winners of the last week's major reshuffle, which saw Tony Abbott ousted as leader, will officially take up their new positions at a ceremony at Government House in Canberra today.
"There are very prominent people with great ability who have been promoted on merit," Mr Turnbull told the Nine Network.
He said even those who voted for Mr Abbott in the leadership ballot were given promotions, including Christian Porter who will be social services minister and Josh Frydenberg who is getting the energy portfolio.
However, he stressed the importance of having a modern, contemporary ministry. "And that means that good people ... have got to be able to make way for others."
The expanded cabinet of 21 includes five women - among them Marise Payne, the nation's first female defence minister.
Mr Turnbull said he wanted more women but blamed low female representation in Parliament, saying it was not as high as it should be.
Mr Abbott has not been offered a position in the new-look ministry. "It's not something that Tony would seek either," Mr Turnbull told Nine Network.
Mr Turnbull said he understood what it was like to lose the leadership of a party, adding Mr Abbott would be going through "a rotten time" right now, however "the show has to go on".
Later, he told the Seven Network that he felt for Mr Abbott.
"It's horrible. It is a dark, black experience. It's awful. That sense of rejection. I deeply empathise with him. I am one of the few people who actually has a pretty good insight."
Former treasurer Joe Hockey also was not offered a cabinet position.
"Joe said to me that he did not wish to be considered for the ministry and that he was planning to retire from parliament. So no, he was not - he asked not to be considered," Mr Turnbull said.
He would not say whether Mr Hockey could be appointed Australia's next ambassador to the United States.
"I cannot possibly comment on diplomatic appointments," he told the Nine Network.
Mr Hockey, who plans to resign from parliament later this year, has been suggested as a candidate to replace Kim Beazley.
Mr Hockey had told his new boss he did not want to be considered for the ministry and intended to retire from parliament.
But Mr Turnbull told all interviewers - on ABC radio and the Seven and Nine Networks - today that he believed Mr Hockey still had more service to give Australia.
