Conroy retains Comms portfolio

Senator Stephen Conroy has survived a cabinet reshuffle from newly crowned Prime Minister Julia Gillard, retaining his role as the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

Gillard revealed details of her new ministry at a lunchtime press conference today, noting that she had made "limited changes" in order to achieve "maximum stability in the team".

Trade Minister Simon Crean was to take over Gillard's role as Minister for Education, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister for Social Inclusion.

Meanwhile, Crean's Trade portfolio has been merged with Foreign Affairs and will come under the responsibility of incumbent Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith.

Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner, who last week announced his intention to resign from politics, was asked to continue in his role for the remainder of Labor's term in Government.

Gillard said she had no intention to make any further changes to her ministry until after the re-election, should the Labor Government survive.

"The premium I have put in making these ministerial changes is on stability," Gillard said.

"There will be no further appointments to cabinet; there will be no new ministerial appointments; there will be no new parlimentary secretary appointments. The team is the team.

"Our focus is on election day," she said. "We take nothing for granted. If the government is re-elected, then following the re-election, I will shape the team at that point."

Along with what she described as "modest" changes to her front bench, Gillard announced an intention to return the more traditional system of Cabinet government.

A role had not been created for deposed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the current Gillard ministry. However, she said he would be offered a senior minister position should the Labor Government be re-elected.

"I have, in recent days, had conversations with Kevin Rudd about his future," Gillard told journalists.

"It's his intention to seek re-election as the member of Griffith; consequently, I have told him I would be absolutely delighted to see him serve as a senior cabinet minister in the team if the Government is re-elected."

Conroy has exuded confidence in the lead-up to the reshuffle, telling SBS Television he had been watching the World Cup rather than jostling for position.