Who are the winners in the Canberra Liberals' reshuffle?

Australia's longest serving opposition has the unenviable task of convincing this red-ribbon town to vote for them, especially as their conservative faction has been bolstered by the entry of Candice Burch into the Assembly.

So sure is Mr Coe about the potential of his young former staffer, he's handed her one of his own portfolios and arguably one of the most important in the territory right now - transport.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr says that is a "reflection of failure" from Mr Coe, who tried and failed to have the ACT's light rail project scrapped.

But it's likely an admission that the portfolio deserves more time than Mr Coe - who is the Liberals' spokesman on the treasury, the economy and now innovation - can afford to give it.

The new carve-up of responsibilities also more closely resembles the way the ACT Labor-Greens cabinet has divided their portfolios.

Labor left-faction minister Yvette Berry looks after the schools component of education while right faction minster Meegan Fitzharris holds the portfolio for higher education and training. Now Elizabeth Lee will look after schools while former education spokesman Andrew Wall zeroes in on higher education and training.

However Mr Coe dismissed the comparison, saying while there were some similarities the changes simply "made sense".

Mr Coe also created the portfolio of public sector management for Ms Burch.

Previously Mr Coe led the charge on scrutiny of the public service, most notably last year running the ruler over the Land Development Agency, ActewAGL's relationship with Icon Water and the ACT government's support of the 'yes' campaign.

This could be a sign Mr Coe is looking to focus on higher order issues, focusing more on an alternate vision for the economy and what the ACT could look like under Liberal leadership.

Liberal politicians on the other side of the ideological divide also fared well in the reshuffle.

Regarded as one of the Canberra Liberals' brightest stars, Elizabeth Lee wasn't given much of a run in her previous role as the spokeswoman for disability and the environment.

However with the addition of education to her arsenal, the former lawyer is likely to shine in the year ahead, particularly with the heat already on the government over school capacity issues and interstate students.

In what could be seen as a rung up on the ladder or enough rope, depending on your outlook, Mark Parton been handed one of the most vexed and volatile portfolios in the territory - planning.

Pundits once speculated as to whether Mr Parton could hang onto his role as gaming and racing spokesman, given questions over his personal involvement in the industry and a series of high profile missteps that included comparing problem gambling to a chocolate addiction.

But Mr Coe praised Mr Parton as a "great communicator" and said the new gig would complement his current role as housing spokesman.

The Liberals' are likely to need a few more mouths who can appeal to the masses if they want their message to land with voters this time around.

The trick for the entire Opposition will be putting aside the megaphone in favour of executing a more nuanced message, one that may appeal more to the minds it needs to convince in a few years' time.

Katie Burgess is an ACT political reporter for the Canberra Times.