Five of the Hunter's seven Labor MPs have been elevated to cabinet positions in the new state government.
- Swansea MP Yasmin Catley - Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism
- Port Stephens MP Kate Washington - Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Disability Inclusion
- Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp - Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education and Minister for the Hunter.
- Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison - Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
- Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison - Minister for Regional Transport and Roads
Mr Crakanthorp said he would work with his colleagues to ensure the voices of the region were heard.
"Being the voice for the Hunter in the cabinet is not a responsibility that I take lightly, and I will be working with my Hunter colleagues to ensure issues and ideas from across the region are heard," he said.
"We will be getting to work straight away to enhance our region's future, with protecting Hunter Water and establishing a Hunter Transition Authority just the start.
"The people of NSW have voted for a fresh start for our state, I am thrilled to be part of the team that will be working every day to deliver that."
For the first time the NSW cabinet will have an equal mix of men and women - with the portfolios of energy, police, finance, regional transport and regional being assigned to women for the first time.
It will also be the first time a woman has led the government in the upper house, with Penny Sharpe taking on the portfolios of energy and climate change, and environment and heritage.
Jihab Dib, the incoming minister for customer service, emergency services and youth justice, will be the first sworn in on the Koran.
It follows new treasurer Daniel Mookhey becoming the first sworn in on the sacred Hindu text Bhagavad Gita.
The Minns government will govern in minority with 45 or 46 seats, with confidence and supply guaranteed by independent MPs Alex Greenwich, Greg Piper and Joe McGirr.
Mr Piper, the Member for Lake Macquarie, is set to be the next Speaker, with the Legislative Assembly voting when parliament returns next month.
"I'm honoured to have the support of new Labor Premier Chris Minns for the role of Speaker in the 58th Legislative Assembly," Mr Piper said.
"As the Premier has said throughout his recent campaign, this is an opportunity for a fresh start in NSW. I agree wholeheartedly.
"Notwithstanding that ours is an adversarial parliamentary system, there is room for considerable improvement in the Chamber and I look forward to working with all members to raise the regard for proceedings in the eyes of the public.
"That said, the Lake Macquarie electorate will remain my priority and I will work hard to justify the enormous vote of confidence the people have placed in me with my recent re-election.
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