Tony Abbott takes over as Australian PM

Canberra, Sept 18: Australia's 28th Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his new cabinet were Wednesday sworn in by Governor General Quentin Bryce at the Government House in Canberra.

Abbott held his first executive council meeting with the governor general, before attending the swearing-in of his ministers and parliamentary secretaries, Xinhua reported.

Abbott said he would govern "for all Australians, including those who didn't vote for us".

"We won't forget those who are often marginalised, people with disabilities, indigenous people and women struggling to combine career and family. We will do our best not to leave anyone behind," the prime minister said.

He said the new government aims "to be a calm, measured, steady and purposeful government that says what it means and does what it says".

"We hope to be judged by what we have done, rather than by what we have said we would do."

Abbott held his first executive council meeting with the governor general.

Warren Truss was sworn in as deputy prime minister and infrastructure and regional development minister, and Julie Bishop as foreign minister.

Altogether, there are 18 cabinet ministers, 11 ministers and 12 parliamentary secretaries.

IANS