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Politicians slam filming for SBS’s Struggle Street season two

One of the families featured in 'Struggle Street' season one.

One of the families featured in 'Struggle Street' season one. Photo: SBS

Filming for the second season of SBS’s controversial documentary Struggle Street has encountered opposition from Queensland politicians who feel the show “makes fun of” disadvantaged people.

SBS in turn has fired back at its critics, accusing them of discouraging the voices of Australian people from being heard.

News the show had commenced filming in various locations across Victoria and Queensland – in particular the Brisbane suburb of Inala – prompted a backlash from Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Ms Palaszczuk, the member for Inala, said she recently met with the managing director of SBS to express her concerns about the show, which follows the trials and tribulations of people in low socioeconomic areas.

“[I] made it very clear to him that I do not want the people of Queensland, let alone the people in Inala, made fun of on national television,” Ms Palaszczuk said during a press conference at the Capilano honey factory in Inala on Tuesday.

“He assured me that was going to be a different programme to which I said, ‘Well why are you still calling it Struggle Street?'”

Ms Palazscuzuk, who succeeded her father Henry as the member for Inala, said the people of Inala “do it tough” and didn’t need the disruption in their lives.

“People are just getting on with their jobs, looking after their families and doing the best they possibly can,” she said.

“We do not need a film crew in here cherry-picking what they think would be entertainment value for the rest of Australia.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk echoed Ms Palaszczuk’s sentiments, while the local council of Inala informed SBS it will not approve filming in council-owned and controlled locations.

Mr Quirk said the show’s first season, filmed in the Sydney suburb of Mount Druitt, was evidence the show was damaging to communities.

“Having personally viewed Struggle Street, seen the way Mount Druitt’s reputation was damaged and the resulting widespread community protests at the representation of their community, I will not approve a request that will denigrate the reputation of the suburb and the people of Inala,” Mr Quirk said.

Many felt the first season of Struggle Street was "poverty porn".

Many felt the first season of Struggle Street was “poverty porn”. Photo: SBS

While SBS did not explicitly confirm it was filming in Inala (although crews have been spotted there this week), a spokesperson for the network accused politicians of stifling Australian voices.

Sydney's Mount Druitt was the location for the first season of Struggle Street in 2015. Photo: SBS

Sydney’s Mount Druitt was the location for the first season of Struggle Street in 2015. Photo: SBS

“2.5 million Australians live below the poverty line and Struggle Street is giving people the opportunity to share their stories of hardship with all Australians,” the statement said.

“Greater understanding of the difficulties faced by many people can help contribute to improving outcomes on issues of social and economic disadvantage.

“It’s disappointing that some critics are going to great lengths to discourage those voices from being heard.”

The first episode of Struggle Street‘s first season, which aired in May 2015, attracted a record audience of 935,000 – making it SBS’s highest-rating locally-made show ever.

Critics of the show described it as “poverty porn” and accused producers of using disadvantaged people for entertainment value.

The second season of Struggle Street will go to air in late 2017.

Watch the opening of Struggle Street season one below (warning: explicit language and adult themes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqt9Uyf5BVQ

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