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'It's hell out here': Dad destroyed by drought reveals details of call from PM

A desperate father who says the drought has turned his town to hell has revealed details of his 35-minute phone call to Scott Morrison after his plight was brought to the prime minister’s attention on Alan Jones’ radio show.

Mark Hollman, who runs the swimming pool at Bourke in the far west of NSW broke down in tears when calling the radio show on Friday saying his town is dying and accusing the government of doing nothing about it.

“Give us some bloody hope Scott. My town is dying, the country's dying and you're not giving us hope,” he said during his call to the radio station.

“We’re dying out here.”

Pictured is Mark Hollman wearing a rimmed hat at Bourke pool.
Mark Hollman says Bourke is slowly dying. Source: Facebook

Jones in turn interviewed Mr Morrison on Tuesday accusing him of not doing enough to help farmers. In his debate with Jones the prime minister said he had already spoken to Mr Hollman, and on Tuesday the Bourke resident told Nine News about his surprise call from the PM.

“He said ‘Hello Mark’ and I said ‘Yes?’ He said ‘It’s Prime Minister Scott’ and I actually said ‘P off’. I can’t believe I told a prime minister to P off,” he recalled.

He revealed he and Mr Morrison conversed for 35 minutes, engaging in a “frank discussion” about each other’s families.

"I told him it wasn't that our kids wanted to move away, we forced them to move away for their future, we don't want them living in this hell out here."

Jones in tears over plight of farmers

Alan Jones becomes emotional when discussing the ongoing drought. Source: Sky News
Alan Jones becomes emotional when discussing the ongoing drought. Source: Sky News

Mr Hollman said while Mr Morrison was supportive, he needs to get the message across to other politicians of how bad the situation was and that those in power should experience a prolonged period of time in his position before casting judgement.

However Jones was less understanding, saying Mr Morrison “just didn’t understand” what farmers are going through.

"Canberra had better start understanding the gravity of the situation it's not addressing," Jones said on his Sky News show Jones and Credlin.

The veteran broadcaster appeared emotional as he revealed he’d be backing farmers all the way.

"My old man would be ashamed of me if I didn't fight," Jones said about his farming father as he began to tear up and indicates to the camera to take a break.

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