In recent months the EBU and SBS have cast Australia’s Eurovision 2015 participation as a one-off — a special treat for our friends Down Under which coincides with the 60th anniversary of ESC. We’ve been told that Australia will only return in 2016 if they win in 2015, in which case they will co-host with a European broadcaster (which may or may not be Germany’s NDR). The messaging has been all, “Don’t worry! Australia isn’t here to stay.”

Well last Saturday, during the Eurovision in Concert welcome event, Guy Sebastian gave us reason to believe Australia has more long-term plans.

“I heard that if we win we take part every year,” he said. “There’s a lot of pressure but I don’t care about that. I think we’re just all gonna have fun and do the best we can.”

We don’t know who he heard this from, but we’re assuming it was the Australian delegation. They’ve defined the stakes and he is feeling the pressure. Given how hard Australia lobbied to get into the contest, it wouldn’t surprise us if they are running an ongoing campaign to become a permanent fixture at ESC.

It’s a divisive issue and we won’t re-hash all the arguments for and against Australia’s participation in this post. But needless to say the potential of Australia extending its stay at Eurovision has some folks uneasy.

Here’s how one wiwiblogger puts it: “The rules state that if Australia wins, they can defend their title next year and that’s it. SBS need to remember that they are a guest, and when guests overstay their welcome people get very angry.”

Guy’s statement gives credibility to the ongoing rumours that SBS want to compete at Eurovision from now until the end of time. Another wiwiblogger thinks this will play against them at Eurovision this year: “If there’s someone who wouldn’t mind Australia winning this year but doesn’t think they should compete every year, that rumour might be enough to stop them voting for Australia.”

Where do you stand?

Follow all of our Australia Eurovision news here

74 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
tshirt business
8 years ago

What’s up, I would like to subscribe for this
website to get most recent updates, so where can i do
it please help out.

Poppy
8 years ago

Lo idóneo es que los 2 miembros de la pareja hablen sobre estas preferencias y lleguen a un acuerdo con el que se sienten cómodos ambos.

NewKindOfRefugee
NewKindOfRefugee
8 years ago

I strongly object to Australia’s presence in Eurovision 2015. I was born in Australia. I have fled Australia. As a new kind of refugee who now calls Europe home, this intrusive Australian presence is nauseating. Of all the countries that exist outside of Europe, why Australia on the opposite side of the globe? America and Canada are geographically closer, and much more Euro-diverse than Australia. And Malaysian-born Guy Sebastian is about as European as Kuala Lumpur. Do Europeans know what they stand for any more?

Sasha
Sasha
8 years ago

Calm down peeps. First, he won’t win. Second, if he wins, I’m guessing Australia will split the costs of hosting as a co-host and therefore, it’ll be cheaper for the European country. Third, what are Australians but an island full of Europeans? Let them sing!

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
8 years ago

He’s got the song, he’s got the video, and he’s still in my top 10. He needs the stage performance to convince the voters and juries, because my 2nd scorecard still says we’re going to Rome next year.

Joanna
Joanna
8 years ago

I can’t for the life of me understand why people are unhappy about Australia taking part in Eurovision. The total viewership is already higher in Australia than in quite a few of the smaller European countries and it will probably skyrocket now that they are taking part. This is not something that can be said about any other country outside of Europe that I know of. So the worries about the Americans or other countries ruining the competition are nonsensical. Believe me that the Americans have no interest in taking part. The Aussies are sending a good song and a… Read more »

Aufrechtgehn
8 years ago

I’m with Alex here. Australia shares a lot of cultural roots with Europe (via the UK), and having watched their press conference announing Guy as their representative, I immediatly fell in love with them – they seem to be a bunch of cool, very self-ironic guys and gals. I must confess I was a little bit sceptical first when the news about Australia participating was broken, but seeing what they have managed to come up with in a very short period of time (and yes, Guy’s song is a strong contender to win), I have warmed to the thought of… Read more »

olga
olga
8 years ago

I would prefer to have Monaco, Luxembourg, Andorra and Slovakia back to the contest… or see the debut of Lichtenstein, Kosovo or even Lebanon… but Australia? I’m sorry but this is bizarre enough for one year

Alex
Alex
8 years ago

Australia is harmless. They are strongly connected with Europe as there are many immigrants from Europe and it is more familiar with the European culture than the Asian one.

There will not be any invitations for other countries as Eurovision is not popular in US, Canada, China etc.

I don’t get why some fans are annoyed. We’ve had so many scandals about ESC (see Azerbaijan) why is Australia’s participation bothering you? Besides, Guy’s song is contemporary and catchy! It’s all about fun and bridging cultures.

Bronson
Bronson
8 years ago

If America is invited, the contest is over. The EBU could invite any country and I wouldn’t care, but NOT America.

Freyah
Freyah
8 years ago

If Australia win they win, and can come back next year. If they don’t win then, and want to return, they can pay the EBU the same amount any Active member like Estonia or Slovenia (examples) or the amount the big 5 do in order to become the big 6. There, they can do that. Just don’t let the americans in, please. The EBU should really focus on countries like Slovakia, Ukraine, Turkey, Morocco, Monaco, Luxembourg, Andorra, ect. which all could return. They should also focus on brining countries who can participlate legally, (inc, Kazakhstan) like Lebanon, Liechtenstein for the… Read more »

Alice
Alice
8 years ago

i think there’s nothing to worry about what would happen if australia wins because this year winner will be or italy or sweden… of course i don’t have any problem if they finished 5th or something but even if that little chance of having them first become reality it would be the absolout mess bc even ebu will not know how to make it out with all these other non-european countriesthat want to participate

Chris
Chris
8 years ago

To my mind, it is just obvious and natural. I even wrote a comment about it a few days ago. It would be weird if Australia couldn’t take part as a constant contender after potential winning Eurovision. Have you really thought that as a co-host and a contestant twice in a row the EBU would forbid them to participate again? It would be hard to explain that. People around Europe would be so used to Australia after two editions that suich a ban would be perceived as a lack of respect. Albeit I have some doubts about Australia at Eurovision,… Read more »

2015
2015
8 years ago

Why not worldvision? Really….

”And now song number 105 Canada with…” Please no…

I like the fact that Australia can participate this year (or 2 if they win).
First bring Asia to the contest for 1 year (2 if they win…) and then America!
70th Contest let Australia, Asia and America all participate again!

Mar
Mar
8 years ago

For Australia to participate every year from now on, the EBU would have to change the rules so that all associate members can take part in the contest. Fair enough, they could do that, but it’s guaranteed that at least one broadcaster from each country would be at least mildly interested in competing. Might as well create WorldVision then, and work out a whole new logistic so it can work. I don’t think it’s such a bad idea actually, we have World Cups for every single sport, why not one for music? Just keep it separare from Eurovision, so the… Read more »

Per
Per
8 years ago

Yay ! I have no idea who Guy Sebastian was, until i see him in ESC.And i think its the same for a lott of people in Europe.

bastian
bastian
8 years ago

Watch them win….ughhh..-.- i just dont like this idea at all. Come on Sweden, win the thing please. Oh and australia will do a top 10 no matter what, will be another ‘good reason’ to let them participate next year zzzzzzzzzz

Adams
Adams
8 years ago

This song has been in my top list from the start. Guy is a great singer with a great voice. I also hope they stay even if they don’t win.

G
G
8 years ago

Well… Australia is not gonna win anyway so everyone can calm themselves

per
per
8 years ago

Australia is the worst song this year. They should be nr 26 this year.BOOOOOORING

yay
yay
8 years ago

I still think it’s between Australia and Sweden.
And Australia will win, everyone know who Guy Sebastian is.

Fatima
Fatima
8 years ago

I’ve got nothing against Australia, but we already have too many countries for one contest. Twenty-seven songs in one show is too many and that would happen again if we again have an Australian wildcard, a non-big 5 defending champion and then the big 5. I think most voters won’t listen to all songs, which will produce the sort of the rest everyone complains about.

Álex, from Spain
Álex, from Spain
8 years ago

I wish Australia stayed with us from now on.

Ali Nella Houd
Ali Nella Houd
8 years ago

Poor naïve, misinformed Guy.

Let’s just hope ESC 2015 doesn’t turn into a referendum on (a) whether Australia should be (or should continue to be) in the comp., or (b) whether (like in ’57) Germany should get to (co-)host as a non-winner (if Guy wins).

It’s a SONG contest. If you like a song, vote for it, if you don’t, don’t.

The EBU has shown it can be forward-thinking and innovative in keeping the ESC entertaining and contemporary. Bring it on.

cheesecake
cheesecake
8 years ago

I’m honest. I love Australia and I love their song, but I just don’t want them to win. Imagine being the runner-up. It would be terribly unfair for them, especially since this year it might be a country that normally does not do that well (Estonia, Slovenia, …). It would be a huge mess (organization of next year, what about other “guest” countries, what about Australia’s future in ESC, …). So I would be totally fine with Guy finishing in the top 5, as long as he doesn’t rob (although the song is great, it would not win without sympathy… Read more »

day one
day one
8 years ago

The thing that irritates me is countries like Liechtenstein, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and a few others all have TV stations that want to compete but aren’t allowed, can’t afford to become a member of the EBU or their applications are taking years to process. Whereas SBS doesn’t have to join the EBU, doesn’t have to pay as much as the other countries (Because I hear SBS have no money at all) and gets automatic qualification the final. How is that fair? What the EBU should do is look at letting private broadcasters compete in countries that their main broadcaster (Luxembourg’s… Read more »

PP
PP
8 years ago

We all now that someone in EBU want to Australia win at Eurovision. The decide to Australia get invite to Eurovision is ruine the contest. We now can sing When Eurovision dies , Eurovision is die when Australia is invite to participate a more if they win.

EurovisionFan
EurovisionFan
8 years ago

The end of Eurovision is already
when Australia participate this year it is not Eurovision any longer. This year 2015 is the end of a 60 year long Eurovision!

Nicky1991
Nicky1991
8 years ago

please next year no more Australia, just european countries only. maybe return of Monaco or Luxembourg in 2016.

esc1234
esc1234
8 years ago

Keep the juries, keep australia, invite america and china and for sure the contest in 10 years it’s going to be over.

lily
lily
8 years ago

The problem is once you let Australia in for good, how do you say no to other countries like America and China they can always say “well Australia’s in it.” Their participation would mean other countries from out of Europe would join and then we wouldn’t be able to have it annually, but every couple of years because there’s so many countries.

Criticca
Criticca
8 years ago

I’m telling you, 2015 will either be make it or break it moment for Australia. I think the amount of ‘buzz’ about their participation at the contest this year(similar to Conchita in 2014) can actually help them get points and win. Almost every national selection show in participating countries has mentioned them. But if they win, I wonder how the other EU countries will feel?

Brown
Brown
8 years ago

I think this is EUROvision, not WORLDvision. China also wanted to be in ESC and if Australia stays in it, many more countries will want to participate too. So no, I do not agree with that decision.

Liam
Liam
8 years ago

I’m so not voting for Australia !! They did send a nice song but NO this is a one-way trip

Mark
Mark
8 years ago

I don’t want them to win. I don’t want them to praticipate in ESC every year. I think he has said that only because he want that people vote for him, but what he has done is the opposite. Sorry (not sorry), but I don’t want Australia in the contest.

T
T
8 years ago

I don’t think Australia participating is a good idea. What if other countries who’s not a member of the EBU wants to join later on? What are they going to say then when they allowed this to happen? Maybe in 30 years we’ll have China in the Eurovision.

Mario..
Mario..
8 years ago

I actually don’t mind if Australia would win in Vienna with the debut maiden participation…But i do mind if the Aussies win with that NOT winning and just mediocre song.. Nothing wrong with Guy Sebastian & its not his fault that he will compete with this song but it has gotten very far now with bookies considering Australia hot favorite to win.. If instead of Australia this song belonged to another country most probably it would not qualify to the final alone & if it was big6 country would not really well…Not a top10 result definitely.. I will get used… Read more »

Nicky1991
Nicky1991
8 years ago

i still Australia is no european country and you’re right Kazakhstan wants to compete and they can’t because why? #LetKazakhstancompete2016

danielvarga
danielvarga
8 years ago

I don’t agree with their participation. EBU should let them only to vote, not to participate.

And EBU should work harder to get Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan into EBU and then into the Eurovision competitions. The same for the Moroccan 2M TV, which wanted to participate in the past even if Israel takes part.

Nicky1991
Nicky1991
8 years ago

@Mario, have you seen Amber perform in Moscow Live? i’ve just seen it and she hit all the high notes , now you hear break through the silence much better.

i think you want to watch this.

Arianator
Arianator
8 years ago

You won’t win..sorry but no

Khan [UK]
Khan [UK]
8 years ago

As a british person who listens to the radio a lot, I am surprised that this isn’t being played on repeat on capital or radio 1, cos it’s so contemporary and fits right in with artists like olly murs, the script and ed sheeran. This song is so good, I hope it wins! #TwelvePointsAustralia

Fryedie
Fryedie
8 years ago

I would like them to stay even if they don’t win. Why does everyone want them to leave? They might win this year simply because they are new, but in the long run they will lose their sympathy votes and it would be nice to have another country to compete with in ESC!

Carter
Carter
8 years ago

This Aussie is not annoyed at alI wtf? I am a grateful Aussie that Eurovision accepted Australia to compete this year. Our participation may very well be a “one off” and that is the end of our Eurovision journey so I want to really enjoy Australia’s participation on the 2015 night! Australia has been given a generous opportunity to compete and I for one am embracing this. European countries might even look us up as a holiday destination that they may not have thought of before. It is all good as far as I can see. Guy Sebastian is a… Read more »

Lovely Elhaida!
Lovely Elhaida!
8 years ago

Australias entry is not terrible but.. It’s not something I would listen to more than once a week… If they win this year i’ll be disappointed! 🙂

Hmayak
8 years ago

Australian entry is in my TOP-15 . It’s a good song that has some charming parts , but it’s not winning song as there are at least 10 songs that are better . I don’t have anything against their partisipation for they have been at contest before but if Australia participates every year it’ll not be a good idea . Greetings and hugs from Armenia .

per
per
8 years ago

I hope Australia NOT gonna winn. They have nothing to do in ESC. And the song is bad

Jerome
Jerome
8 years ago

*from

Jerome
Jerome
8 years ago

As a fan of Eurovision fro Australia, I’m kinda hoping we don’t participate every year. I’m actually kinda hoping we don’t win this year either. While I do hope Guy doesn’t tank on the night (don’t think he will), I worry that even a good result (Top 5 or 10) is gonna wanna make us keep participating. No hate, but I just want our participation to really be a one-off thing. All that, and there are much more deserving songs to win this year.

fikri
fikri
8 years ago

i think what he really meant is, australia is going to win every year and hence, participates every year.