New NSW Premier Chris Minns sworn into parliament as good luck charm revealed

Chris Minns was sworn in as NSW’s 47th Premier on Tuesday, wearing a slick black suit. But there was one colourful detail in his outfit you may have missed.

Chris Minns has been sworn in as the 47th premier of NSW in a ceremony held at Government House on Tuesday. 

Senior members of Labor’s interim ministry also sworn in, including Prue Car as deputy premier, Daniel Mookhey as treasurer and Penny Sharpe as Executive Council vice-president. Senior ministers Jo Haylen (transport), Ryan Park (health), and Michael Daley (attorney-general) were also officially admitted into the NSW government.

NSW’s new Labor interim ministry was oficially sworn into government on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ pool/ Jessica Hromas

In photos from the event, Mr Minns was seen wearing a yellow and red threaded bracelet, which he wore through the last months of the election campaign.

In March he told the Sydney Morning Herald it was gifted to him by a visiting guru from Hindu organisation BAPS (Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha), around six months ago.

“I’ve got a strain of superstition that runs through the Minns line and I haven’t been game to take it off,” he said.

Mr Minns said he wasn’t able to glean the significance of the bracelet as the man didn’t speak English.

“I probably told him I was running for office so … probably ‘best of luck mate’.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns was seen wearing a threaded red and yellow bracelet on Tuesday when he was sworn in by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts/ POOL.

Mr Minns wore a 'good luck charm' to Government House on Tuesday as he was sworn in as NSW's next premier. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts/ POOL

Presiding over the ceremony, NSW Governor Margaret Beazley encouraged the new government to “savour” the moment before MPs were officially sworn into their roles.

“This moment is a unique moment in your life and I’m going to suggest you savour it because premier-elect, ministers-designate, it’s not going to last very long,” she said.

“(It’s) a moment that gives us an opportunity to just stop and think, as a community, what this moment means.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns arrives at Government House with his wife Anna. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker/ Pool

At the close of the ceremony, she repeated her point: “This is a time to relax and enjoy before the period of really, really hard work starts again.”

In a history-making moment, Mr Mookhey is the first Australian minister to be sworn in on the Bhagavad Gita, a holy text significant to Hinduism.

Ms Sharpe is also the first lesbian minister in NSW. 

After the ceremony, Mr Minns reiterated that his team were ready to “hit the ground running”.

“With the interim government now in place, we know there’s a huge responsibility on our shoulders and work starts today,” he said.

Mr Minns was sworn into government alongside senior members of his leadership team. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Dylan Coker/ Pool

Ms Car said it was “an honour” to be sworn in to the interim ministry and reiterated Mr Minns’ comments.

“We know that there are seats still yet to be determined, but what we do know is the people of NSW sent us a clear message on Saturday, and they want us to get straight to work on some really important challenges for NSW ahead,” she said.

Tuesday’s ceremony also gave insight into some of the new ministries under the Minns government, including a portfolio for the Illawarra and south coast that will be held by Mr Park. 

As it stands, the count has yet to reveal whether Labor will lead with a majority or minority government.

The party has 45 seats but needs 47 to govern outright, with Kiama, Terrigal, Miranda, Ryde, Holsworthy, Oatley and Goulburn still in play.