PRIME Minister Tony Abbott gained an insight into just how challenging the farming conditions are in the Parkes electorate on Sunday.
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With Agriculture MInister, Barnaby Joyce, by his side, Mr Abbott touched down in Bourke about 8.30am to meet local landholders.
Federal member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, also joined the tour and said it was beneficial for the Prime Minister to hear the plight of the electorate's farmers firsthand.
“This will be valuable information in assessing further need in the region due to the ongoing drought," he said.
Mr Coulton said the Bourke community was pleased to host the Prime Minister and "showed great hospitality".
“The strength of the community, as well as the hardship that they are currently facing, were both on show for the Prime Minister during his visit.”
Mr Coulton said the drought was an ongoing issue and had reached severe levels which even a surprise downpour during the PM's visit couldn't fix.
“A drought affects not only farmers, but whole communities who are often based around the rural enterprise surrounding a country town.”
"While rain might have greeted the Prime Minister on the weekend, this rainfall doesn’t indicate that the drought is over.”
