NSW Labor sweats on possibility of minority government as jostle for Liberal leadership begins

Seen as capable but cautious, Speakman would probably to face competition in the form of fellow former ministers Anthony Roberts or Alister Henskens.

The party received some good news on Monday, with preference counts saving Tim James in the seat of Willoughby after independent Larissa Penn appeared set to take the seat.

With a glut of seats still close to call, Labor was sweating on results in Kiama, Ryde, and Terrigal. By Monday afternoon it had won 45 seats, meaning it needed to win at least two of those three to reach the 47 needed to form a majority government.

Minns repeatedly ruled out formal deals with the crossbench during the election, but may be forced to bargain with a mishmash of independents and minor parties potentially able to wield significant influence in the new parliament.

Mookhey will be the first Australian minister to be sworn in on the Bhagavad Gita, a holy scripture of Hinduism.

The interim cabinet will be made up of Minns, Mookhey, Penny Sharpe in the environment portfolio, Jo Haylen in transport, Ryan Park in health and John Graham as the special minister of state.

On Monday, Mookhey said the wider ministry would probably be sworn in next week.