"IN the fallout from last weekend's NSW state election, fisheries minister Katrina Hodgkinson has been dumped from the Coalition's new-look Cabinet.<\/p>In Hodgkinson's place Mike Baird has appointed Upper House Nationals member Niall Blair who takes over as the new Minister for Primary Industries, Lands and Water.<\/p>Blair is a former chairman of NSW Nationals and one of the younger members of the Legislative Council.Originally from Goulburn, he lives in the Southern Highlands with his family. Prior to entering politics he was a horticulturist, ran work safety consultancy and managed parks and recreation at Leeton Shire Council.Blair was elected to an eight-year term in the Upper House in 2011 and became Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services in 2014.Fisho<\/em> has approached the new fisheries minister for an interview as soon as possible. Stay tuned.<\/p>"