OPINION

For those of us farmers here in the East Coast provinces – many of whom have just been through the most dreadful experience of our lives – listening to a Cabinet minister who has our back is a refreshing change from all the broken promises we heard from the last mob.

There are things we can and must do irrespective of whether they contravene established popular thinking about environmental primacy.

He is unafraid of pressure groups that consider their position at the head of the food chain to be a God-given entitlement.

Jones is unfazed in his determination to tell it like it is when he describes the pathway to a more prosperous country. He is keen to focus on growth potential and what it will take for our economic fortunes to turn the corner.

Nobody is saying it will be easy, but the signs are there we are in a fight for the heart and soul of our nation, and it is a fight we can’t afford to lose.

This minister has become particularly successful in his confrontation with the negative groups who have been responsible for much of the economic stagnation we have endured, particularly during Labour’s last stint on the Treasury benches.

I guess his plans to reignite the mining and land-use growth potential will become the turning point we have been seeking for so long, and it will surprise no one who is involved with these industries that it can all be done in such a way as to maintain our record as world leaders in emissions reduction, whether it will benefit the climate or not.

Jones has built a reputation for honouring his commitment to making things happen and will not be deterred by the ideologistsideologues who think they have a mortgage on public policy.

I also predict he will rank alongside the late Bob Semple – coal miner, trade unionist, and politician – as two of our greatest overseers of public works when the history of this country is written.

I believe one thing is true – this man is not for turning. Maggie Thatcher would be proud.

Clive Bibby.

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