Australia's newest old Labor government featuring a turbocharged health portfolio consisting of four ministers, no less, is officially off and running.
Western Australia's ministry was sworn in on Wednesday following a thumping third-term victory.
Premier Roger Cook declared himself ready to get back to it out front of a revamped team boasting the experience needed to lead the state in "globally uncertain times".
"This is a new government that will tackle every challenge with determination, a new government that will pursue every opportunity with energy and excitement," he told 300 or so onlookers at Government House following the formalities.
The personnel changes on show included the splitting of the new government's health portfolio into four, with the appointment of separate ministers for health, health infrastructure, preventative health and aged care and seniors.
Asked whether the atomised all-for-one arrangement might lead to important issues falling through the cracks, Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey said it was rather about "strengthening the delivery of health".
"This approach where we have four ministers that have different aspects of the health portfolio means it is also the full responsibility of the cabinet to ensure we deliver on our election promises," he said.
First-time minister Meredith Hammat defended being appointed health minister, saying her experience working in unions before she was elected to parliament in 2021 put her in good stead to handle the senior job.
"It is important to remember the health area is being restructured so it won't just be me working in the health area," she said.
Counting continues slowly after the March 8 poll, with five seats yet to be decided following allegations the WA electoral commission mismanaged aspects of the election.
Under-fire electoral Commissioner Robert Kennedy previously announced an investigation amid claims of ballot paper shortages and some voters being turned away from booths, with others forced to queue for hours to cast ballots.
Other concerns involved incorrect voting advice, party-appointed scrutineers being asked to assist in the count and staff hired by a Singapore-based firm to help run the election not being paid.
Mr Cook has said the long wait times and lack of ballot papers were unacceptable and Nationals Leader Shane Love demanded Mr Kennedy to be suspended and a full parliamentary inquiry conducted into the running of the election.
In recent days the Nationals WA, WA Liberal Party, One Nation WA, the Greens WA, Legalise Cannabis WA, Australian Christians WA and Independent for Fremantle Kate Hulett sent an open letter to Mr Cook backing the call for an Inquiry.
Latest tallying shows Labor has won 44 of 59 seats, the Liberals six and the Nationals four, with just more than 77 per cent of ballots counted.
The lower house seats of Albany, Kalamunda, Kalgoorlie, Pilbara and Warren-Blackwood are yet to be decided.
Labor is ahead in two, with the Liberals taking the lead in another two seats and the Nationals one.
