Barwon MP Kevin Humphries looks set to add shared responsibility for the controversial native vegetation legislation to his ever-expanding portfolio.
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In the recent Cabinet shake-up the Minister for Western NSW acquired responsibility for the natural resources, lands and water portfolio.
Mr Humphries, who has been working behind the scenes with the government and farmers in his electorate on the native vegetation self-assessment codes that were released earlier this year, is now also likely to share the responsibility of the Act's overhaul with environment minister Rob Stokes.
At last week's NSW Nationals conference Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner confirmed the move and reiterated the party's promise, which it made at last year's conference, to review the Native Vegetation Act.
Speaking again after this week's budget announcement, Mr Stoner said his party was "in negotiation with government".
"We want an equal say in the future," he said.
The review of the legislation would be handed down by the end of the year, he said.
"It's a clunky bunch of legislation but (hopefully) we won't have the whole mess we have now.
"The government are partners with the people on the land for the environment."
A spokesman from Mr Stoner's department confirmed his office was "seeking advice on how to introduce joint administration of the Native Vegetation Act between the environment minister and the Minister for Water and Natural Resources."
"However, in a strictly legal sense, the Act is currently still administered by the environment minister," the spokesman said.
