Prime Minister Scott Morrison is under pressure to acknowledge that climate change is a major driver of the drought gripping parts of regional Australia following his declaration that the big dry was his government’s number one priority.

Hours after his elevation to the top job on Friday, Mr Morrison cited the record-breaking drought as the nation’s “most urgent and pressing need right now”.

He underlined his commitment on Saturday, his first full day as prime minster, by meeting with national drought coordinator Stephen Day and Nationals leader Michael McCormack to discuss a national approach to the problem.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says national drought action is a top priority, and critics say climate action should be a key part of the response. Credit:AAP

“I’m from the city, I’m not pretending to know one end of a sheep from another but I do know when people are hurting in our country and they are hurting terribly,” the Sydney-based Mr Morrison said after the meeting.