This time last year the nation was tying itself in awkward knots over the SBS documentary Struggle Street, filmed in the Western Sydney Suburb of Mount Druitt.
Opinion was starkly divided about whether the show was important social commentary, or exploitative “poverty porn”.
Struggle Street filmed several families living below the poverty line in that suburb. It included scenes depicting mental illness, domestic violence – and drug abuse, including a very memorable scene of a pregnant woman, smoking a bong on a toilet.
And now, here we go again:
And on the latest episode of The Binge, Rosie Waterland and Laura Brodnik discuss the new season:
SBS says that the new season of Struggle Street “will be filmed in Queensland and Victoria with a focus on Australians from a diverse mix of backgrounds battling against the odds.
“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 it’s like to be doing it tough in Australia today.”
Rosie Waterland agrees.
"The thing that I found was that most of the people who were really angry about it, had grown up extremely far from that reality. I grew up in that reality and all I thought when I watched that show was 'that's exactly what it was like.'" She said.
"I had seen scenes like that, everyday of my childhood. And to me it was just a real reflection of what it was like to grow up like that."
This was just confronting, real life.
"It opened us up to a reality most of us don't experience," Laura Brodnik said.
"These people exist, and neighbourhoods like this exist, probably 20 minutes from you - and the fact that you are so confronted by this means that you have no idea how some people live. Which means you probably do need to watch this show," Rosie concludes.
Stand by for the debate to erupt all over again.
Listen to the full episode of The Binge, including Rosie and Laura's take on the resurrection of Game Of Thrones' most-loved heroes, here:
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Top Comments
I grew up in Doonside, in Sydney's West. I went to a public school. I had great family support, so I was able to educate myself, become a professional and move to a great new area. Of course not everyone living in these areas live like those on struggle street, but many do, and it's sad. Mostly it's a cycle, when the parents are uneducated, or addicted to drugs or gambling or whatever their vice is, it's hard for the children to break through. I think kids growing up in disadvantage need to know that they can break the cycle, it is hard, but you can do it. I remember my first day at Sydney Uni. The UAI cut off for my course was 98.5. Most of my peers were from affluent areas and drove luxury vehicles. When I told them I was from Doonside, and drive a beat up 10 year old Holden, they all looked at me like I had 3 heads. It makes me laugh now. Ultimately, I'm thankful for my childhood as I feel like I can relate to people from all demographics and I was never sheltered.
Can't wait for a new season. I live in a low socio economic area and see some of what we saw in struggle street via my children's activities. I was really shocked 13 years ago when we moved to this area and I began to meet struggling families in my everyday world. It certainly makes me grateful for my life despite the difficulties we face.