The reshuffle is Mr Turnbull's first big test as Prime Minister and will be unveiled within hours of the result being known in the Canning byelection. Treasurer Joe Hockey appears likely to retain a spot in cabinet under new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Credit:Andrew Meares Late opinion polling suggests the leadership switch has markedly improved the Liberals' chances, but a near certain win for the government did not stop the main parties throwing final resources at the fight with Bill Shorten hitting the hustings for Labor and Julie Bishop leading the push for the Liberals. As much as 10 per cent of the electorate will have cast pre-poll and postal votes before last Monday's explosive events in Canberra, meaning they were not influenced by the controversy and will reflect the government's poorer standing under Mr Abbott's leadership. Mr Hockey, who surprised Turnbull backers by not immediately resigning from the government's chief economic post when Mr Abbott was dumped, has since flagged a willingness to serve in another capacity.

Sources close to the process confirmed Mr Turnbull had begun ringing key appointments over Thursday and Friday. Tony Abbott packs a car before he and Margie leave Kirribilli House for the last time on Friday. Credit:Janie Barrett The insider said despite public friction between Mr Turnbull and Mr Hockey, the Treasurer is now likely to be retained in cabinet as the new Prime Minister looks to heal the wounds of Monday's ferocious leadership showdown. Mr Turnbull is understood to have concluded that for all of the government's faults in economic explanation - a critique he had cited to justify his challenge of Mr Abbott - Mr Hockey is an experienced senior figure with much to offer. Tony Abbott's suits leave Parliament House through the basement on Friday.

Fairfax Media understands he will be replaced in the coveted Treasury post by Social Services Minister Scott Morrison. The right-backed Mr Morrison, who made his name as the Abbott government minister who famously "stopped the boats," revealed on Friday, that he had expressly rejected an offer from a desperate Mr Abbott to run as the then prime minister's deputy on a joint ticket aimed at defeating Mr Turnbull and seeing off Ms Bishop as well. Confirmation of the offer came during a combative interview with the conservative radio host Ray Hadley, in which Mr Morrison first refused, and then angrily agreed to swear on a bible that he had not betrayed Tony Abbott by organising supporters to vote against him. "If that's what you need, then we don't have the relationship that I thought we had," a clearly affronted Mr Morrison told the broadcaster in an interview that was at times laughable, and in which Hadley was called "mate" 18 times. Hadley repeatedly claimed that even though Mr Morrison had voted for Mr Abbott, the influential minister had arranged for several of his supporters to swing behind Mr Turnbull, ensuring his victory.

The minister, who did not deny he would be promoted to the Treasury in the Turnbull cabinet next week, angrily told Hadley that he was not going to allow his Christian faith to be used "for a stunt for your program". However he later agreed to do it, before the usually chummy regular spot ended in acrimony. The revelation that Mr Abbott attempted to use his loyal Treasurer as a human pawn to save his own skin is another blow to Mr Hockey's morale. But sources in both camps say Mr Hockey has "moved beyond" the traumas of the leadership change and now has a positive attitude and a good chance of staying in the cabinet. According to a senior source, Mr Abbott also attempted to prevail upon Christopher Pyne and Peter Dutton to run as his deputy against Ms Bishop but both declined. Insiders list the possibilities for Mr Hockey as defence, education, or communications. Although one minister said the prospect of Mr Hockey in defence was zero, and tipped Senator Birmingham as a possible communications minister.

It is expected to made vacant by the forced retirement of the avowed anti-Turnbull Victorian, Kevin Andrews. Both he and the other likely backbench returnee, Employment Minister Eric Abetz, were seen to campaign publicly for their jobs after Mr Abbott's replacement, despite their trenchant opposition to Mr Turnbull's bid. One Liberal called that behaviour "craven". Mr Andrews, who was the so-called "suicide bomber" who sparked Mr Turnbull's leadership collapse in 2009 while in opposition, cemented his antipathy to the new regime on Monday by agreeing to stand against Ms Bishop for the deputy's spot - a role Ms Bishop has held since 2007. As Mr Abbott's deputy, Ms Bishop was preparing to vote for Mr Abbott in Monday's snap ballot, but switched to Mr Turnbull when she was effectively sacked by Mr Abbott, who summarily declared both leadership positions vacant just after 6pm on Monday. Follow us on Twitter