‘Poverty porn’: Queensland premier steps up anti-Struggle Street campaign
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has lashed out against at the makers of the controversial 'poverty porn' documentary Struggle Street, saying they aren't welcome in her state.
The contronting show was blasted last year for its three-part documentary series highlighting the lives of residents in Mount Druitt located in Sydney’s west.
A clearly concerned Palaszczuk on Tuesday expressed her "strong feelings" about the project after meeting with the managing director last month.
Palaszczuk had been in contact with the producers of the documentary and voiced her "strong feelings" on the matter. Source: Supplied.
"I made very clear to him that I do not want the people of Queensland, let alone the people in Inala, made fun of on national TV," she said.
"He assured me it was going to be a different program, to which I said to him 'why are you still calling it Struggle Street'."
Palaszczuk said many people in her electorate were also doing it tough.
"People are just getting on with their jobs, looking out for their families and doing the best they possibly can," she said.
Peta and Ashley Kennedy are two of the identities featured in the first Struggle Street documentary series. Photo: SBS
"We do not need a film crew in here cherry picking what they think would be entertainment value for the rest of Australia."
The series was also accused of highlighting drug use, crime and social issues in the suburb.
Earlier in the year Brisbane's Lord Mayor flatly rejected a request by SBS to film the second installment Struggle Street in Inala, saying it would denigrate the suburb's reputation.
The Brisbane City Council has denied SBS film crews permission to shoot in Ms Palaszczuk's electorate of Inala.
Lord Mayor Quirk has spoken out against the documentary being filmed in Inala. Source: Supplied.
The ban however will not prevent the show being filmed on private property.
"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 people of Inala," Cr Quirk said in a statement.
He defended the residents as "good, proud and aspirational people".
"While Inala is not the wealthiest suburb, it is a growing suburb that has experienced substantial improvement in recent years."
Peta Kennedy and her daughters featured in the first series. Photo: SBS
Cr Quirk encouraged national debate on issues of social and economic disadvantage in Australia, but said having it at the expense of Inala residents was unacceptable.
Earlier in the year SBS announced their plans for new series of the observational documentary to either be filmed in either Victoria and Queensland.
"Struggle Street will seek to raise awareness and deepen our understanding of those of us in the community facing social and economic hardship through an honest reflection of what its like to be doing it tough in Australia today," SBS television and online content director Marshall Heald said in a statement on Thursday.
Struggle Street series two will be produced by Keo Films, the same team behind season one, with support from Screen Australia and Film Victoria.
"The first series of Struggle Street provoked a unique and important discussion about the extent and effects of poverty in Australia," Screen Australia senior manager of documentary Liz Stevens said.
"Screen Australia hopes the second series of Struggle Street will raise further awareness of these complex problems and the networks and services that provide essential and sometimes lifesaving support to their communities."
The Queensland electorate of Inala is represented by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who inherited the seat from her father, Henry Palaszczuk.
For its entire existence the seat has been held by the Labor Party.
News break – September 27
