Mr Coulton said in his travels he had been speaking to farmers and “the message coming back” is that they are not “helpless”.

“They’re getting annoyed that they’re being portrayed as helpless,” he said earlier this month.

“They’re smart, savvy business people. They’ve got plans in place.

“The idea that they’re helpless is just not true.”

Mr Coulton said it was "heartening” that so many people wanted to help farmers but caution was needed.

“We’re very grateful for that assistance but it’s a balancing act that we don’t get the idea that farm can’t manage their own affairs,” he said.

“This is a very severe drought and it is impacting on people in a very personal way.

“We need to be help people but I’m worried about the long-term impacts.”

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Mr Coulton said such a heavy focus on the drought could potentially damage Australia’s reputation as a strong agricultural nation.

“We need to be very careful that we don’t lose the world’s confidence, because agriculture is such an important part of our economy,” he said.

Gunnedah Shire Council is among 18 councils in the Parkes electorate, which will receive $1 million in federal funding under the Drought Communities Program.

“It’s to stimulate the local community," Mr Coulton said.

“They can use it to provide relief for people battling drought but they can also use it for infrastructure projects that can employ local people who might not be able to get work because of the drought and buy materials from local businesses.”

Mr Coulton said he was “very pleased” that new Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s first official visit was a tour of drought-stricken Queensland.

We’re working very closely with farming organisations to see where we go to next to make sure we have the appropriate assistance to have the most benefits not just for farmers but for communities and the million that has gone into those communities will certainly give a boost to those communities,” Mr Coulton said.

READ ALSO: Don’t lose faith in political system: Coulton