Tony Abbott has been sworn in as Australia’s 28th prime minister at a ceremony at Government House in Canberra.
His ministry has also been sworn in, with Abbott immediately repeating his pledge to scrap the carbon tax, stop the boats and get the budget back into surplus.
“We pledge ourselves to serve the people of Australia for their benefit, to the very best of our ability,” Abbott said.
“We are determined to honour our commitments to scrap the carbon tax, to stop the boats, to get the budget under control and to build the roads of the 21st century.
“We will be a problem-solving government based on values not ideology.”
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,” he said.
“We will do our best not to leave anyone behind.”
Abbott said it was an honour to serve the nation.
“We aim to be a calm, measured, steady and purposeful government that says what it means and does what it says,” he said.
“We hope to be judged by what we have done, rather than by what we have said we would do.
“We are conscious of the ideals of duty and service, exemplified by our Queen, whom you (Governor-General Quentin Bryce) have so graciously represented here in Australia.
“And we will not spare ourselves, we will not spare ourselves, in order to deserve the trust placed in us this day.”
Abbott took the oath of office after being invited to do so by Bryce at 10.30am (AEST) on Wednesday.
His mother Faye and father Dick, wife Margie, daughters Louise, Frances and Bridget, and his sisters Christine Forster and Pip Abbott watched on.
Bryce noted the “great responsibility” Abbott was taking on as prime minister and wished him the very best.
“Thank you so much, Excellency,” Abbott said.
Also at the ceremony were the secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Dr Ian Watt, Abbott’s chief of staff Peta Credlin and his press secretary James Boyce.
Abbott held his first executive council meeting at Government House with Bryce, before attending the swearing-in of his ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
The roll call included 18 cabinet ministers, 11 ministers and 12 parliamentary secretaries.
After Abbott was sworn in, Margie Abbott held his hand as official pictures were taken, before giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Forster said “let me kiss the PM”, before doing just that.
Bryce told Dick Abbott he had a lot to be proud of, adding that she had great admiration and respect for the people who took on the responsibility of helping to run the country.
