10/06/05
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance today welcomed the appointment of Mr Tony McRae to the position of Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, the Mid-West and Wheatbelt.
Mr McRae will take a leading role in Western Australia’s natural resource management program.
Mr Chance said that the $316million NRM program was a key to putting WA’s agricultural industries on a more sustainable footing and combating the scourge of salinity and other environmental damage.
“I know Tony McRae will bring his energy and experience to this new challenge and I look forward to working with him on a range of projects,” he said.
Mr McRae will assist in the implementation of the State’s six accredited natural resource management strategies - covering the Avon, Northern Agriculture, Rangelands, South Coast, South-West and Swan Catchment areas.
Mr McRae was with Mr Chance when he launched the Swan catchment council’s natural resource management strategy at Burswood on Swan.
“I was impressed with the broad community and industry support for the Swan Catchment Council’s management strategy and look forward to working with regional NRM groups throughout the State,” Mr McRae said.
“The NRM groups and the Gallop Government have a common goal of protecting and enhancing WA’s unique environment.”
With Mr Chance the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council (the State’s upper House), Mr McRae will represent the Minister in the Legislative Assembly and on other official duties.
Mr McRae has a degree in Social Ecology from Murdoch University and was Chair of the Parliament’s Economics and Industry Committee from 2001 to 2005.
He is Chairperson of the Canning River Regional Park Advisory Committee and originally came to WA in 1980 from the town of Tumut in NSW.
Minister's office: 9213 6700
