Australia swears in Anthony Albanese as 31st Prime Minister

STORY: Labor returns to power after nine years in opposition as a wave of unprecedented support for the Greens and climate-focused independents, mostly women, helped end nearly a decade of rule by the conservative coalition in Saturday's (May 21) general election.

While votes are still being counted and the makeup of government has yet to be finalised, Albanese was sworn in so he could attend a key meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue in Tokyo on Tuesday (May 24).

Albanese, raised in public housing by a single mother on a disability pension, was sworn in by Governor-General David Hurley at a ceremony in the national capital, Canberra.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles and three key ministers - Penny Wong in foreign affairs, Jim Chalmers as treasurer and Katherine Ruth (Katy) Gallagher in finance - were also sworn in, with Wong to join Albanese on the Quad trip.