Vanquished Labor leadership hopeful Amber-Jade Sanderson has warned incoming West Australian premier Roger Cook against "policy resets" as she commits to remaining a senior minister.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, who is likely to be the next deputy premier, says there are no hard feelings between the camps and she is looking forward to working with Ms Sanderson.
The health minister had loomed as the early frontrunner to replace the retiring Mark McGowan before MPs tied to the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union dramatically swung behind Mr Cook, splitting the dominant left faction.
Ms Sanderson bowed out of the leadership race on Tuesday, paving the way for Mr Cook to secure the top job with Ms Saffioti as deputy leader.
She has pledged "100 per cent support" to the new leadership, which is expected to be formalised by the party next week.
"I've been around for a long time and I've seen the damage that can be done from disunity and I will not be party to that at all," Ms Sanderson said on Thursday.
"I will be a loyal and dedicated cabinet minister in this government."
Ms Sanderson said she was very committed to the health portfolio but it was up to the premier-elect to allocate cabinet roles.
She declined to answer whether she still held leadership aspirations.
Ms Saffioti said she had spoken with Ms Sanderson and there were no hard feelings.
"I've seen politics for the past number of years, 20 years, and there is nothing to gain in dwelling in the past," she said.
"You have to keep the momentum (going and) that's why I'm very much looking forward to working with (Ms Sanderson) in the cabinet."
Ms Saffioti said she had spoken with Mr McGowan and said he had been visiting various government agencies to say goodbye during his last week as premier. She said he continued to provide support and advice.
She rejected accusations of disunity between Labor's factions, saying the party was shocked when Mr McGowan resigned but "within 48 hours we had a unity ticket".
"That is incredible ... we moved quickly to make sure we got the best outcome for the state," she said.
Ms Saffioti also declined to discuss potential cabinet positions.
Mr Cook on Wednesday would not be drawn on whether he would stand firm on the government's pay offer to disgruntled nurses, firefighters and police, saying it was not the time for detailed policy considerations.
But Ms Sanderson said she did not expect the new leadership to affect the wage negotiations and declared the key to Labor prevailing at the 2025 election was continuing on the "very successful path" set by Mr McGowan.
"Now is not the time for policy resets," she said.
"Now is the time for continuity and stability."
