Tony Abbott sworn in as new Australian PM

Tony Abbott was sworn in as Australia's new prime minister on Wednesday, officially ending six years of Labor rule, with the conservative vowing to get straight down to business.

The 55-year-old leader of the Liberal/National coalition government was sworn in at Government House in Canberra by Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

He was elected on September 7 on a pledge to scrap taxes on corporate pollution and mining profits imposed under the Labor administration, as well as introducing a costly paid parental leave scheme and halting asylum-seeker boats.

"Today is not just a ceremonial day, it's an action day. The Australian people expect us to get straight down to business and that's exactly what this government will do," Abbott said in a statement.

[Image via Agence France-Presse]