NSW senator Arthur Sinodinos has returned to the centre stage of politics after being appointed Cabinet Secretary in the Malcolm Turnbull government.

On Sunday Prime Minister Turnbull confirmed the appointment saying Sinodinos had ensured “the gold standard” for cabinet government during his time as John Howard’s chief of staff.

In a thinly-veiled criticism of his predecessor’s ‘captain’s calls’ and the leaks that besieged Tony Abbott, Mr Turnbull said he was “determined to have a consultative cabinet system” and that Sinodinos’ new wide-ranging role was to manage that process.

Earlier in the day Senator Sinodinos told the ABC’s Insider program that under Mr Turnbull’s leadership it was important ministers were brought “in the tent” and made to feel their opinions were valued if the government wanted internal stability.

“What’s important about leaks is, again, giving people the opportunity to have their say,  because if people feel they don’t have ownership of what’s going on, they’ve got nothing to lose then by being outside the tent…

“If you  want to stop leaks, make sure people feel like their opinion is valued and they are in the tent.”

Scott Morrison was appointed Treasurer and in one of the biggest surprises of the reshuffle, it was confirmed that Joe Hockey declined to be a part of the new ministry and will retire from parliament.

The reshuffle saw five women promoted to the Cabinet, one of who – Marise Payne becomes the first woman appointed as Minister of Defence.

West Australian senator Michaelia Cash comes into Cabinet as Minister for Employment and Minister for Women. Victorian MP Kelly O’Dwyer becomes Assistant Treasurer and Small Business Minister.

Christopher Pyne becomes Minister for Industry, Innovation and  Science. WA MP Christian Porter enters Cabinet as the new Minister for Social Services . Mitch Fifield is the new Minister for Communications and Arts. Josh Frydenberg is promoted into Cabinet as Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, and Simon Birmingham takes Education and Training.

George Brandis stays as Attorney General and becomes Leader of the Government in the Senate. Peter Dutton remains Minister for Immigration.