Wodonga Albury Towards Climate Health chairman Lauriston Muirhead was responding to the member for Farrer being given the role by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday.

"We'd like to congratulate her on her appointment and it will be good to have a direct line to government, however she's not in charge of emissions, that's a specific title that's been given to (minister) Angus Taylor and WATCH would hope there will be an improvement in the government's attitude towards reducing emissions, which we could say has been a train wreck for the last 10 years," Mr Muirhead said.

"We hope without (former prime minister) Tony Abbott acting as a wrecker the government will be able to get emissions reduced and back on track with an electric rather than a coal-fired steam train."

Ms Ley declined to speak to The Border Mail on Monday about her new role, but in a statement said she was keen to hear opinions related to the portfolio.

"Australians hold strong views on caring for our environment, both locally and globally, and I look forward to listening to the variety of perspectives and ideas that will be put forward, as well as implementing our government's strong range of policy initiatives," Ms Ley said.

Mr Muirhead has met Ms Ley about five times to discuss environmental issues.

"My feeling is that she has a practical approach to the environment but like all politicians she is driven by the politics more often than the science," he said.

"She is a politician in the sense she goes with what the government of the day says."

Ms Ley's predecessor as Environment Minister Melissa Price gained a reputation for not being open to talking to the media, with the executive producer of ABC television's 7.30 tweeting she had turned down at least 11 interview requests.

"The previous Environment Minister appeared to be missing in action," Mr Muirhead said.

"Sussan Ley in the past has been very willing to engage and we look forward to that willingness to engage continuing."

Wodonga-based Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has also has a new job in the ministry.

She has swapped regional services, sport, local government and decentralisation for agriculture.

Senator McKenzie told The Border Mail she was "very honoured and very excited" to have the role, having first become a minister in December 2017.

She anticipates areas where her and Ms Ley's duties will intersect include water policy, carbon farming, Landcare and the environmental management of farms.

Greens animal welfare spokeswoman Mehreen Faruqi was upset at Senator McKenzie's appointment.

"I have no confidence in this minister to hold the live export industry to account," Senator Faruqi said.

"Senator McKenzie is one of this cruel industry's loudest advocates and now she will be responsible for regulating them, which is deeply concerning."

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The deputy Nationals leader rejected the Greens senator's view.

"It's disappointing that she doesn't recognise the animal husbandry skills of our primary producers," Senator McKenzie said.

"I welcome the opportunity to take her to meet some of our live exporters or primary producers up north or in Western Australia."

Senator McKenzie expects new legislation targetting animal rights activists entering farms will be among the first bills to be presented to parliament by the re-elected government.

"I'm pretty confident that she (Senator Faruqi) won't be voting to stop agri-terrorists coming on farms," she said.

"She's no friend of the farmer."

The new ministry will be sworn in at Government House, Canberra, on Wednesday.