Malcolm Turnbull's prime ministerial persona still remains a work in progress. But much of what's been hinted at so far – an openness to new ideas and ways of doing things, a willingness to take a chance in order to advance a plan or strategy, and a belief in the need for colleagues (and voters) to be seated alongside the driver in the front seat – can be identified in his new ministry. Some commentators have described it as a renewal and reconstruction unprecedented in a first-term government, which is probably not understating matters.
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Mr Turnbull's fearlessness in dispensing with lethargic or poorly performed ministers to clear the way for new blood is much in evidence. Christopher Pyne's "transfer" from Education to Industry, and George Brandis' loss of the Arts portfolio (he remains Attorney-General) suggests a low tolerance for under-performing ministers too.
Conservatives are prominent among those whose services have been terminated (Eric Abetz and Kevin Andrews), and moderates (Marise Payne and Kelly O'Dwyer) are conspicuous among the new appointments. However, the dumping from cabinet of former Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane (despite his reasonably sound record and his friendship with Mr Turnbull) confounds any theory that this a line-up where conservatives are on the outer.
The infusion of new female talent is a particularly welcome aspect of Mr Turnbull's inaugural ministry. It was always on the cards that he would redress the glaring gender imbalance of Tony Abbott's ministries; few would have foreseen the likelihood that Mr Turnbull would promote three women to cabinet (joining Julia Bishop ) – or that two of them, Michaelia Cash and Ms Payne, would be handed the challenging portfolios of Employment and Defence. Both these appointments have been well received, however, particularly Ms Payne's, whose interest and involvement in defence-related business in and out of Parliament is long-standing and noteworthy.
If Ms O'Dwyer's elevation to cabinet as Small Business Minister and Assistant Treasurer has raised eyebrows in some quarters, her talent has not been in question since entering Parliament in 2009. Indeed, her appointment (along with that of Christian Porter, Peter Hendy, Wyatt Roy and Anne Rushton) underlines Mr Turnbull's disregard for one of the old unwritten rules of Parliament – that newcomers, no matter how promising, spend a long apprenticeship on the backbench before being considered for promotion.
The most important appointment of Mr Turnbull's cabinet was also the most widely expected: Scott Morrison takes over Treasury with a reputation as a politician able to master a brief and sell a tough message. He has no record of economic management in government, however, although Mathias Cormann (Finance) and Kelly O'Dwyer can be expected to offer solid support.
Like all Coalition ministries, this team bears the strong imprint of the Prime Minister, the more so given Mr Turnbull's willingness to constitute it without great regard for political niceties. Voters can take considerable heart from this approach, and from Mr Turnbull's entreaties to his new team to think big.
