Prime Minister Julia Gillard did not include her predecessor Kevin Rudd in her new Cabinet. She said in a news conference that she would be ''absolutely delighted'' to see him serve as a senior minister if the government is re-elected.

Ms Gillard unveiled her new cabinet in Canberra this afternoon, with some minor changes to the top posts.

''It is best to have as limited a reshuffle as possible to keep the maximum stability in the team,'' she added.

Instead, Ms Gillard has handed her own portfolios of education, employment, workplace relations and social inclusion to former Labor leader Simon Crean.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith will take on the added role of Mr Crean's portfolio of trade.

PM Gillard said Mr Smith had been doing a ''great job'' as foreign minister.

She said she had spoken to Mr Rudd about his future and he had confirmed he would run for his seat at the next election.

''Consequently what I have said to Kevin Rudd is I would be absolutely delighted to see him serve as a senior cabinet minister in the team if the government is re-elected,'' she said.