Conversations at Parliament House: Lewis wants government to get out of the road

Written on the 16 November 2016 by Jael Napper

The newly appointed Minister for Agriculture enters our meeting declaring he'll be in the position for another 4 years to come.  An optimism born from his genuine need to be truly effective with dealing with the government's processing of agriculture applications.

The Kimberley's Mowanjum and Nita Downs are both discussed as examples.

"They would be millions of hectares in size, yet when agriculture wants 650 hectares everything invented has to be thrown at it," He says.

"It's almost impossible, the State has to take some responsibility because it's just too bloody hard at the moment.  The key is people who will kick down the doors."

The overall success of Mownajum Station depends on a further expansion.  However a recent application of clearing resulting in flora and fauna surveys, heritage and weed investigations, a process which could take years and place the entire enterprise at risk.

"We've got to put science back into the environmental approval processes.  We've got to get out of the road of it, let those people in the industry get on to the job of making a living."