It was all smiles and kisses in Canberra as Kevin Rudd's new-look front bench grasped the silver lining from the dark cloud of Joel Fitzgibbon's resignation.

With the former defence minister's blood barely dry, the prime minister's reshuffle was cemented as 15 Labor ministers and parliamentary secretaries were sworn into their new roles.

Governor-General Quentin Bryce presided over Tuesday's ceremony recognising 20 portfolio changes at Government House in Yarralumla.

The gathering collection of dark-suited MPs and senators in Ms Bryce's front lounge was buoyant in the opulent surroundings.

As colleagues shook hands, kissed hello and mingled with family and friends, Mr Fitzgibbon's embarrassing resignation as defence minister last week, after revelations he breached the ministerial code of conduct, was a distant memory.

A beaming Mr Rudd presented each of his chosen few to Ms Bryce to sign their declarations of service and pose for official photographs.

Senator John Faulkner, who has taken up the defence portfolio, went first, opting like almost half the group to take an affirmation rather than a religious oath.

Senator Joe Ludwig, who has taken over Senator Faulkner's roles as cabinet secretary and special minister of state was next, followed by Chris Bowen.

Mr Bowen was promoted to minister for financial services, superannuation and corporate law, and minister for human services.

Only two women were elevated in the reshuffle.

Kate Ellis picked up early childhood education and childcare to go with her portfolios of sport and youth.

Maxine McKew will swap her childcare and early childhood education parliamentary secretary role for infrastructure, transport and regional development, and local government.

Newcomers to the executive, Jason Clare, Mark Butler and Richard Marles, had listened carefully to instructions on how to negotiate the elaborate stand-up, sit-down ritual because there was not a fluffed line, dropped Bible or stumble to be seen or heard.

The only interjections came from the children of NSW right-wing powerbroker Senator Mark Arbib, who was rewarded with the employment participation portfolio and will also be the minister assisting the prime minister for government service delivery.

Three-year-old Alexandra and her one-year-old sister Charlotte were vocal participants in the 45-minute affair but Ms Bryce insisted no children be hustled from the room.

"I don't like babies being taken out," she said.

At the conclusion of the event, Ms Bryce offered her congratulations to members of Mr Rudd's new-look front bench.

She said she admired and respected those who chose to serve the community through public office but warned it was a tough job and offered the group some simple, yet sage advice.

"In your great battle against time, probably the toughest one we have in 2009, set aside some time for replenishment of your intellectual and physical wellbeing, to recharge and reflect," she said.

AAP