Chris Minns sworn in as NSW Premier as vote counting resumes 

Chris Minns sworn in as 47th NSW Premier but his new government has suffered a surprising setback as vote counting resumes

  • Chris Minns has been sworn in as the 47th Premier of NSW
  • He was sworn in alongside seven members of his ministry
  • The vote count indicates that he’ll run a minority govt 

Chris Minns has been sworn in as the 47th Premier of New South Wales – as vote counting from Saturday’s election suggests he’ll be leading a minority government despite earlier predictions it would govern in its own right.

The Labor Leader and seven members of his ministry were sworn in by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley at Government House on Tuesday.

Apart from Mr Minns, Prue Car was sworn in  as the new deputy premier, Daniel Mookhey as the treasurer, Jo Haylen as transport minister, John Graham as roads minister, Penny Sharpe as environment minister and Ryan Park as health minister.

Ms Beazley congratulated the incoming ministers and commented on how the change of government was an ‘historic moment’.

Mr Minns and Ms Car spoke following the ceremony. 

Chris Minns has been sworn in as the 47th Premier of New South Wales (pictured with NSW Governor Margaret Beazley) 

‘There’s a huge responsibility on our shoulders and work starts today,’ he said.

‘Counting is continuing in many key seats and we don’t know the final composition of the next parliament but my team and I are ready.’

Mr Minns also shared the moment to his social media, writing, ‘Officially the 47th Premier of NSW.’

‘An incredible honour, and now it’s straight to work.’

It comes as votes are still being counted, with several seats too close to call.

Labor currently holds 45 seats and, in a setback for the new administration, still does not have the required 47 seats to form a majority government.

The Labor Leader and seven members of his ministry were sworn in at Government House on Tuesday

The Labor Leader and seven members of his ministry were sworn in at Government House on Tuesday

The new ministry includes Prue Car as the new deputy premier, Daniel Mookhey as the treasurer, Jo Haylen as transport minister, John Graham as roads minister, Penny Sharpe as environment minister and Ryan Park as health minister

The new ministry includes Prue Car as the new deputy premier, Daniel Mookhey as the treasurer, Jo Haylen as transport minister, John Graham as roads minister, Penny Sharpe as environment minister and Ryan Park as health minister

The results indicate the new premier may preside over a minority government despite earlier predictions the ALP would reach a majority in the new parliament. 

However, three independent members of the crossbench said they would provide Mr Minns with ‘confidence and supply’ if he did not make up the necessary seats on Monday. 

The seats of Goulburn, Holsworthy, Kiama, Miranda, Ryde, Terrigal and the Upper Hunter are still in doubt, although the Nationals appear likely to retain the Upper Hunter. 

About 60 per cent of the votes have been counted so far. 

On Saturday voters abandoned the Coalition after 12 years in power, with the crushing election defeat showing a massive swing to Labor. 

Mr Minns has pledged to fix the state’s toll road system, provide more social and affordable housing, boost healthcare worker numbers, end the privatisation of state assets and return to a state-owned energy company. 

Unions in NSW called on the new state Labor government to lift public sector wages and abolish the Coalitions wage cap of 3 per cent.

Minns said the wages cap would be an urgent priority for his new government,  and he will meet with unions to work out the ‘next stage forward’.

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