Ms King announced on Twitter on Saturday that she was “delighted and honoured” to retain her portfolio, and would “continue the fight to save Medicare”.

Ms King told The Courier earlier this month that she was intent to “get on with doing the job” despite the election turmoil that had the nation fearing a hung parliament.

She has now held the seat for 15 years, through six consecutive elections.

“I am delighted, and honoured to have been reappointed to the health portfolio in the shadow ministry and am extremely grateful to Bill Shorten for the opportunity to continue to lead the fight to save Medicare,” she said.

“As we did in the last parliament, Labor will once again resist furiously any attempts to attack bulk billing, increase out of pocket costs and undermine the rights of all Australians to access decent, affordable health care.”

Ms King said the drawn-out election results, which had the nation waiting anxiously for a week for a result, meant the government should start taking note of what mattered to Australian people.

“This month’s election sent a powerful message that the Australian people will not tolerate any further attempts by the Turnbull government to undermine our extremely successful, and much loved universal health system,” she said.

“Despite this, the Turnbull government remains committed to undermining Medicare through its ongoing freeze on GP rebates, and its determination to make further cuts through its attacks on pathology and diagnostic imaging as soon as parliament resumes.”

Ms King gave a nod to her predecessors Katy Gallagher, Stephen Jones and Warren Snowdon and congratulated them on their new roles.

She also congratulated Julie Collins on her elevation to shadow cabinet in the role of shadow minister for ageing and mental health, and Helen Polley as shadow assistant minister for ageing.