Cr Quirk told the Brisbane City Council chamber on Tuesday he had knocked them back due to Struggle Street's portrayal of Mount Druitt residents last year. Corey Kennedy and his son Liam were among the Mount Druitt residents depicted on SBS's Struggle Street. Credit:SBS "I have absolutely no problem with the highlighting of the issues of social and economic disadvantage in Australia," he said. "They are important issues and they ought to be part of the public debate. "However, having viewed Struggle Street and having observed the way in which Mt Druitt's reputation was damaged in the so-called name of shining a light on social and economic disadvantage, I have come to the view that I will not co-operate with the process and production of a film that could similarly cause damage to reputation both to the suburb and to the people of Inala."

Cr Quirk said the council was powerless to prevent producers going ahead with the production on residents' private properties. Ashley Kennedy's family was at the centre of Struggle Street, an SBS series that detractors accused of being 'poverty porn'. Credit:SBS "If people invite a production crew on to their private property, then that is a matter for them," he said. "However, given the nature of this program, I will not be providing council assistance." Mt Druitt resident and Struggle Street subject Peta Kennedy stands outside SBS as rubbish trucks blockade the broadcaster in protest. Credit:Ryan Pierse

Local Labor councillor Charles Strunk, who had not seen the original Struggle Street series, said it could have been a missed opportunity for Inala. "I just hope that we haven't, in some way, not allowed Inala to be shown in a good light, in a positive light," he said. "I've been told that the Mount Druitt one, when it was actually finally aired, wasn't what people thought it was going to be. "I think good, positive publicity for Inala is something we could use at any time and, if they treat the people with respect and it's an honest portrayal, I don't think anyone in Inala would have a problem with it. "The issues in Inala are the same issues in any other suburb."

In response to Cr Quirk's concerns, an SBS spokeswoman said the second series of Struggle Street would be fair on its subjects. "Struggle Street series two will once again shine a light on social and economic disadvantage in Australia through a raw, honest and compassionate account of individual and community stories of challenge, triumph and adversity," she said. "The intention is to be a fair representation of people and communities capturing stories from a diverse multicultural cross-section of the community. "We anticipate stories of resilience, community support and family love in what will be compelling and insightful storytelling that doesn't shy away from the realities of hardship faced by millions of people." Comment has also been sought from the Struggle Street producers, Keo Films.

The first series, which focused closely on the misfortunes of the family of Ashley and Peta Kennedy, attracted widespread controversy when it aired on the public broadcaster last year. SBS was forced to rush the second and third parts to air in a two-hour special amid intense public anger.



It also prompted Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali to organise a garbage truck blockade outside SBS's headquarters. The new series of Struggle Street is expected to air in late 2017. NOTE: This story has been updated to include comment from SBS.