Coalition reshuffle portfolios after by-election loss

Peter Dutton has reshuffled his team as the opposition moves on from the Dunkley by-election. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

The coalition has revamped leadership roles in its shadow cabinet and portfolio allocations days after losing another by-election to Labor. 

Western Sydney MP Melissa McIntosh has been promoted to shadow cabinet.

Ms McIntosh, who holds the seat of Lindsay, will take on the energy affordability and Western Sydney portfolios.

Mr Dutton said western Sydney was "an economic powerhouse" that had been ignored by the government. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

The Liberals are looking to reclaim seats in Sydney's west, where cost of living issues are biting harder than in the more affluent east. 

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton branded the region "an economic powerhouse" that had been ignored by the federal government.

NSW senator Andrew Bragg, a leading moderate in the parliamentary caucus, has been given the assistant home ownership portfolio.

Senator Bragg called home ownership the largest issue many Australians faced. 

"Too many Australians feel the great Australian dream is out of reach and they will never own a home, it is unacceptable," he said.

"Home ownership has an unparalleled economic and social benefit."

Senator Bragg says home ownership is the largest issue many Australians faced. (Paul Braven/AAP PHOTOS)

Victorian senator James Paterson has taken on the shadow cabinet secretary position on top of his home affairs portfolio.

"I look forward to working with my shadow cabinet colleagues as we continue to develop a comprehensive and ambitious policy agenda to put to the Australian people in the lead up to the federal election," he said. 

Western Australian MP Andrew Hastie has picked up defence industry and defence personnel portfolios on top of being the defence spokesman. 

Queensland MP Phil Thompson will become the assistant for both of Mr Hastie's new portfolios. 

His Queensland colleague Luke Howarth has picked up the shadow assistant treasurer role on top of the financial services portfolio.

NSW senator Hollie Hughes has become the assistant for the mental health and suicide prevention and NDIS portfolios. 

WA MP Andrew Hastie has added defence industry and defence personnel to his defence portfolio. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

Queensland senator Paul Scarr has become the new assistant spokesman for multicultural engagement while South Australian James Stevens picked up the role of assistant spokesman for government waste reduction.

Mr Dutton called promotions "excellent additions to the coalition's stable and united team".

"I can assure all Australians that the coalition under my leadership will continue focusing on the policy issues that matter," he said. 

It follows the Liberals failure to claim Dunkley at Saturday's by-election despite recording a swing of about 3.5 per cent towards them.