Bindi and Terri Irwin at the Nickolodeon(File Photo)

Photo Gallery>>>BEIJING, Oct. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The daughter of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, who was killed by a stingray, will star in a wildlife series to air on the Discovery Kids network early next year.

The show, now in the early stages of production, was originally "going to be a father-daughter thing," starring the nature-loving duo, Discovery publicist Annie Howell said on Monday.

But some critics have raised concerns that the youngster is being thrown in the spotlight too soon after her father's death.

A senior politician Wednesday joined a chorus of concern over the demands placed on 8-year-old Bindi Irwin.

"Every child deserves their childhood, and your childhood is one of those touchstones of your life, but there's a real danger that that kid is going to be exploited," the ruling Liberal Party's Bill Heffernan told media.

"After his death Terri (Irwin's U.S.-born wife) had to make a decision. Did she want Bindi to continue working? Did she want her to continue doing this show? And she really left it up to Bindi, with her guidance of course," said Howell.

Howell defended the decision to continue with the series, saying the network was respecting the decision of Terri.

"They decided this was a really healing process for her and are moving on," Howell said. Enditem

(Agencies)