Standing in front of the microphone in the searing bare heat outside the Tully family’s house paddock, the Prime Minister holds up a message of hope.
The questions soon round on that of climate change.
He also points the family’s own records which he believes show this drought is not unusual.
"We’ve got 100 years of (rainfall) records," Mr Tully says.
The Prime Minister echoed that position.
"If people want to have a debate about that, fine.
"Now the challenge is: do you keep them in boarding school, or are they not educated?"
"But you’re still going to educate those kids.
In the town of Quilpie there is a noticeable decrease in the sound of children laughing and playing.
"We’ve had families move away because they can’t afford boarding school," Mrs Hall said.