More roles for women as Turnbull announces cabinet

Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces his new cabinet during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Photo / AP

Malcolm Turnbull has more than doubled the number of women around his cabinet table, including appointing the country's first female defence minister.

Senator Marise Payne takes the position from Kevin Andrews, who said he was disappointed the new prime minister didn't want to work with him.

New mother Kelly O'Dwyer has been promoted to cabinet, Mr Turnbull revealed at a media conference in Canberra.

She becomes the government's assistant treasurer, as well as picking up the small business portfolio from Bruce Billson.

Her colleague Michaelia Cash is being elevated to employment minister, vacated by Eric Abetz.

She also takes over being minister for women from former prime minister Tony Abbott, as well as minister assisting Mr Turnbull for the public service.

Deputy Leader Julie Bishop hangs onto foreign affairs while Sussan Ley continues to oversee health and sport.

Mr Turnbull praised Senator Payne as one of the government's most experienced and capable senators.

"She will release the Defence White Paper later this year, defining our key national security priorities," he told reporters in Canberra.

Senator Payne thanked people for their well wishes, tweeting she was incredibly honoured to take over the defence portfolio.

Ms O'Dwyer's promotion as the first woman ever to sit in cabinet in a treasury portfolio was welcomed from across the chamber, with Labor MP Clare O'Neil tweeting her sincere congratulations.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten welcomed the overall, "overdue increase in the number of women in the cabinet".

"This is a good development," he told reporters in Melbourne.

Queensland Liberal MP Teresa Gambaro, who has campaigned to get more women into the Liberal Party, believes Mr Turnbull has got the balance of his new ministry "exactly right".

"It is a highly talented and innovative team that will focus on Australia's future", she said in a statement.

The revamped ministry will be sworn in on Monday morning.

- AAP