MARK Lewis is the new Agriculture and Food Minister.
The agricultural scientist and Mining and Pastoral Region MLC was appointed last week by Premier Colin Barnett following the resignation from Cabinet of former minister Dean Nalder, who failed in a leadership bid to topple Mr Barnett.
Mr Lewis, who was raised on a cattle property in Queensland, will be the third minister of the portfolio this government term, following Ken Baston and Mr Nalder.
Unlike Mr Nalder who split his time between two portfolios, Mr Lewis will be dedicated to agriculture.
He studied animal production and health at Queensland University and worked for the veterinary services branch within the Department of Primary Industries, mainly in the channel country and north Queensland.
Mr Lewis worked within the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA), including in the role of program and regional manager, director, and manager of policy and industry development in the Rangelands.
He has been involved with the Pastoral Lands Board, Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation, ministerial taskforces and appointments, and State and region-wide natural resource management committees.
Mr Barnett said the sector was among a number of industries critical to broadening WA's economy.
He said having a dedicated minister would ensure the sector was given Mr Lewis' full attention in progressing key policies including upgrading the Doppler tower network and launching the WA Biosecurity Strategy.
"Mark was involved in developing irrigated agricultural opportunities and also held management positions within the Department of Agriculture and Food in a region which covered the extent of his electorate," Mr Barnett said.
"Mark was raised on farming, cattle and sheep properties in Queensland and will bring to the portfolio a vast knowledge about the agricultural sector and the challenges it faces."
Labor Agriculture spokesman Mick Murray said having three ministers during the parliamentary term brought instability to the agriculture industry.