Chris Minns has been sworn in as the new premier of New South Wales, but the remaining votes suggest he will run a minority government in parliament.
Mr Minns and seven members of his ministry, including Deputy Premier Prue Car, and Attorney-General Michael Daley, were sworn in by Governor Margaret Beazley at Government House this morning.
Ms Beazley said it marked an auspicious occasion and congratulated the incoming ministers for already working so hard in opposition.
"It is a historic moment, the change of government," Ms Beazley said.
NSW Labor currently holds 45 seats, two less than required to form a majority government.
Mr Minns' first appointment was at Liverpool Hospital, alongside Health Minister Ryan Park, where he announced a "surgical care task force" to tackle elective surgery pressures in emergency departments.
"To look specifically at the elective surgery waiting list, at the over 100,000 people that are currently waiting ... including the 17,000, that are waiting longer than clinically recommended in NSW," he said.
The final election results could take weeks, and the incoming premier remains positive after earlier projections had Labor winning the necessary 47 seats.
"There's probably about two or three seats where it's in doubt, we're hopeful, but the counting has got to continue," Mr Minns told ABC Radio.
Three independent members of the crossbench last night guaranteed to give the premier-elect "confidence and supply" in the event he does not secure the remaining seats.
Mr Minns said independent member for Sydney Alex Greenwich, Member for Wagga Wagga Joe McGirr, and Greg Piper, the Member for Lake Macquarie, all approached him.
"We've spoken to Alex, Joe, and Greg in the last 24 hours, we're grateful for it and it means we can get on with the job, get the briefing to understand what's happening in the key departments," he said.
Following a "race to the top" with former premier Dominic Perrottet, Mr Minns said the two were in contact, and that it would be "crazy" not to take his advice.
"How the processes of government works, how the bureaucracy works, his tips on parliament, how to do the job," Mr Minns said.
"Very, very gracious of him to do that, within 48 hours of his party losing, to meet with me for an extended meeting."
The ABC's chief elections analyst Antony Green this morning said the South Coast seat of Kiama looked like it would go to current and independent MP Gareth Ward.
The former Liberal MP was suspended after he was charged with historical indecent and sexual assault offences, which he denies.
The competition has been neck-and-neck, with Labor's candidate Katelin McInerney, who was out in front yesterday with 700 votes.
Mr Minns said while the criminal proceedings against Mr Ward, and the count were still underway, he would not be commenting but remained hopeful Ms McInerney could win the seat.
Earlier this month, the Labor leader said he would not be working or making any deals with Mr Ward, in the case of a hung parliament.
The ABC computer is also predicting the seat of Balmain in Sydney's inner-west will remain with the Greens, despite a big swing to Labor.
