'Slow the pace down': Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in no rush to select cabinet

Labor may have expanded its ranks in parliament, but the prime minister says he won’t race to lock in a new cabinet.

Following Saturday’s landslide victory, attention has turned to the makeup of Anthony Albanese’s frontbench for his second term and how his “ambitious” agenda will be implemented.

But the prime minister said he would wait to reshuffle his ministry with some seats still too close to call.

“We’re going to try and slow the pace down a little bit over coming days. I’ll consult with colleagues about forming a front bench down the track,” he told reporters on Monday.

“Obviously there are a number of results that are unclear in electorates, but it’s very clear that we will have a substantial majority in the House of Representatives.”

Labor has claimed 85 seats in the new parliament, an increase from the 78 it held in the last term, but could claim more than 90.

Members of Labor’s left and right factions will meet later this week to determine which of its representatives will be put forward for cabinet positions.

The members will be signed off by the entire Labor caucus afterwards, before the prime minister selects portfolios.

“We are overflowing with talent, that’s the truth. We have so many people you could put forward,” the prime minister said.

“We have an incredibly talented team on the frontbench but also in the caucus.”

The jostling for positions within the new cabinet has already begun, with the prime minister set to choose replacements for positions such as NDIS minister and assistant treasurer, following retirements.

But Mr Albanese declined to comment on speculation Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek could be shifted to the NDIS portfolio.

“If you hear something, unless it comes out of my mouth, it is nonsense,” he said.

While a date for when parliament will sit has not been locked in, the first piece of legislation will be laws to cut 20 per cent off HECS debt for university students.