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Refreshed NSW coalition cabinet sworn in

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has again been forced to defend her cabinet reshuffle amid claims it was aimed at rewarding factional powerbrokers and allies.

New South Wales Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian
New South Wales Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian Source: AAP

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Source: AAP


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A minister for women who's privately opposed to abortion and a multiculturalism minister who says all non-indigenous Australians are essentially immigrants are among seven fresh faces in Gladys Berejiklian's new-look NSW cabinet.

After deciding to axe a number of experienced ministers to make room for fresh blood, the premier's 23-strong front bench team was officially sworn in on Monday.

The new Minister for Women, Tanya Davies, was pressed by reporters on her views about abortion immediately after taking her oath of service at Government House.

"I am pro-life personally, but in my role I'm there to support all women," the Liberal MP replied.

New Multiculturalism Minister Ray Williams, meanwhile, came out in strong support of immigrants when quizzed about US President Donald Trump's temporary ban on visas for travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries.

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Mr Williams said he was proud of NSW's diverse communities.

"I can assure (you) that under me they will all feel valued," the newly promoted MP said.

"Unless you are our indigenous brothers and sisters, then you all came here at some time."

The Castle Hill MP is one of several believed to have been promoted in the reshuffle because of factional allegiances.

But Ms Berejiklian again defended her appointments on Monday, arguing every minister had won their job on merit.

"I've told my ministers to work hard. We all know we have a big job ahead of us," she said.

Not all MPs opted to swear allegiance to the Queen as they were sworn in at Government House with new Attorney-General Mark Speakman and moderate Berejiklian loyalist Matt Kean among those who instead swore their oath to "the people of NSW and Australia".

NSW now has its first counter terrorism minister in David Elliot, while Stuart Ayres was formally appointed minister of the newly-created portfolio solely responsible for Sydney's WestConnex motorway project.

Veteran MP Brad Hazzard is now health minister and former planning minister Rob Stokes has replaced dumped Nationals MP Adrian Piccoli in the education portfolio.

Another of the premier's strong supporters, former Legislative Council president Don Harwin, comes into cabinet as energy and resources minister and minister for the arts.

He shot down claims he lacks experience.

"The reality is I've held the job of president of the upper house for the last five and a half years (and) I think my record speaks for itself," he said.

"I just ask the people of NSW ... to judge me on my record and my results as a minister."

Ms Berejiklian echoed that sentiment.

"The challenge for the new team is to make sure that every part of NSW feels like they're getting their fair share and that's the instructions we've given our ministers," she said.


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