MEMBER for Barwon, Kevin Humphries, has been sworn in as the Minister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water.
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The new responsibility was awarded to Mr Humphries after Barry O’Farrell’s decision to step down last week.
Mr Humphries remains Minister for Western NSW but is no longer in the role of Minister for Mental Health and Healthy Lifestyles, both portfolios he has held since 2011.
With his new responsibilities, Mr Humphries will be in charge of Crown lands, water resources and private land management practices.
He is also expected to share responsibility with Primary Industries minister, Katrina Hodgkinson, for native vegetation laws.
Deputy premier and Nationals leader, Andrew Stoner, said Mr Humphries’ new portfolio represented a promotion for the former school teacher.
“Lands minister includes the environmental purview around land and water management, such as soil salinity and erosion, but through the prism of private property,” he said.
“There is some strong buy-in there for the Nationals on environmental issues and also around productive agricultural lands.”
Mr Humphries was not willing to comment until after he had been sworn in yesterday.