Conchita Wurst recently travelled to Australia to appear in Adelaide’s Feast gay and lesbian festival, where she will be part of an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest drag queen show. The Eurovision 2014 winner also raised her hand in support of Australia having a permanent place at Eurovision.

Speculation about Australia has been rife since a mysterious 41st country was confirmed by Eurovision’s official Twitter account.

Appearing on radio 774 ABC Melbourne, Conchita stated that, “I would love for Australia to be a part of Eurovision every year because I think it’s just necessary, basically”. When asked if she had the power to make it happen, Conchita was coy, saying that she wasn’t sure. No doubt Conchita will have made a few new fans Down Under!

Conchita’s comment has added to the intense speculation over who the mysterious 41st participant will be and whether Australia will be invited back to compete permanently.

You can listen to Conchita’s full radio interview below.

https://soundcloud.com/774-abc-melbourne/conchita-wurst-speaks-to-rafael-epstein

Do you agree with the Queen of Austria’s stance regarding Australia’s future involvement? Does Australia have a permanent place on the Eurovision stage? Share your thoughts below!

For more Australia Eurovision news, click here

24 Comments
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Gab
Gab
8 years ago

She’s not stupid, she’s not going to say that Australia shouldn’t join Eurovision, while she’s in Australia.

Aaron
Aaron
8 years ago

Ha! For the record, I’m also an American, and I think the US would do terribly at Eurovision. It’s such a unique European thing. That’s the beauty of it.

If the US were ever invited to participate, the result would be so embarrassing that we’d never go back.

And interest here is definitely growing. I discovered ESC in 2010, and I’ve recruited dozens of new fans. We took over a local bar for the 2015 Grand Final, and we drew in even more people who were curious what the hell was going on with all our shouting and singing.

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
8 years ago

ugh sorry but please stop with the ‘Australia is a country of European immigrants’ bull
So is the US, Canada, New Zealand, etc. etc. etc. and I bet most of you would throw a hissy fit if my country (US) tried to enter the contest
‘oh but Americans don’t watch it!!!’ interest is growing, we care more than some of you Europeans–you might as well let us in

maslo
maslo
8 years ago

EBU makes problems for Kosovo or Liechtenstein and they want to allow Australia? money, everywhere money…

Benny
Benny
8 years ago

I have a great idea what eurovision should do to make this a more professional event: 1. Bid process: There should be a bid process between countries and not cities. Because than there is no country that surprises come to stand financially and therefore not could organize or something. By the way the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics also use this system. I think the bids-system we have now is outdated. 2. ”worldvision”: I think every continent should have there own song contest. so Australia doesnt have to stuggle to enter eurovision because they have their own. The Asian… Read more »

Susanne Schoeberl
Susanne Schoeberl
8 years ago

Australia seems to have so much enthusiasm for Eurovision. So I was very happy for them to be able to participate this year. And I’d love to see them again.

blondboybc
blondboybc
8 years ago

Well, whether we like it or not, it’s very possible that Oz will be back next year in the ESC…even becoming a permanent member. I don’t think anyone will be
very surprised…some of us are even expecting it given Guy Sebastian’s reception
and commendable 5th place in this year’s final. So, I say, expect the expected!:D

Aaron
Aaron
8 years ago

Eurovision is fun. Adding one more song from Australia is more fun.

It is baffling why folks get so worked up about this, like everything has to stay the same as when God created Eurovision 12,000 years ago. Chill out, guys – it’s all for fun. Who would argue for LESS Eurovision? It’s mental.

Maya G
Maya G
8 years ago

Seems like Conchita wanted to flatter (not to say: suck up to) the locals.
Australia is a great addition to Eurovision and I wouldn’t mind if they stayed for good, but “necessary” is quite the overstatement. Eurovision did fine for 59 years before they came along.

George
8 years ago

Well, you guys totally forget the fact that most Australians are nothing more than European immigrants. I’m ok with them participating every year. Now for the qualification thing: If they want to give as money as the Big 5s they should go direct to the finals. If not they should compete in the semis. As simple as that.

The unpopular question:
Since when did Kosovo became a country? I mean here in Greece I never hearded on the news.

Esma & Irrelozano
Esma & Irrelozano
8 years ago

I hate how she didn’t give any arguments for her statement, I love Conchita but… really queen?! Anyway, i’d like a new guest country every year and countries like Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein and Kosovo to join. If I could change the world I would add them 😉

Sarah
Sarah
8 years ago

Shut your trap conchita sometimes she chats pure rubbish

Pastora Soler haha!
Pastora Soler haha!
8 years ago

I agree with Conchita

They are a serious country that choose great singers, it means high quality for ESC.

Charles
Charles
8 years ago

Is Conchita now making “rehearsed” statements to please the EBU mentality? Certaintly ,,, but does she care if Australia is included or not? Hell no! Just another reason for her to be the spotlight … all uncessary/bad/ publicity is good publicity in the egocentric world of Conchita.

Mario = Legend
Mario = Legend
8 years ago

I’m all for Australia to compete, the more the merrier. However, I’m strongly against them getting a bye straight to the grand final. Countries have been competing for years that still don’t qualify, so for a newcomer to come in and grab a final spot would be a kick in the teeth. Then again, if it was up to me the Big 5 would be abolished so perhaps I’m biased.

Ariso Light
Ariso Light
8 years ago

Go Conchita! 😀

Hollow Inside
Hollow Inside
8 years ago

I find it truly ironic and hypocritical how people can dare assert that inviting Australia permanently is ‘ruining the Eurovision tradition’ yet propose a model of ‘Olympics-esque’ theatrics complete with rotating participating countries, which apparently doesn’t. I’d rather one nation who would be intent and serious about participating do so rather than have the proposition blocked by mere hypocrites who want to invite other countries as well with little to virtually no interest in Eurovision.

PP
PP
8 years ago

EBU will ruin Eurovision tradition if give Australia chance to compete every year. I would love to see Australia as guest every 4 years like Olympics. In 2015, 2019… i would love to see maybe China in 2016, Canada 2017….

Denis
Denis
8 years ago

Lebanon had their chances but didn’t take it. As long as Israel is there there probably won’t be Lebanon. Kosovo isn’t member of EBU, active or associative. That makes it hard to compete since it’s the most basic rule. Australia is closer in that sense than Kosovo
And Kazakhstan has interest but whether they have applied to take part is another issue. Don”t know about that.

MirkoJoshua
MirkoJoshua
8 years ago

There are other countires who are more eligible to participate than Australia such as Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Kosovo, Fær Øer islands, Svalbard islands and Greenland. The problem is just that Australia has nothing to do with the Eurovision and even if it’ll be allowed to participate, more countries would start to join in. Do you remember about those rumours about China’s participation? It’s simple: if Australia is allowed to participate, why my country can’t too? And soon Eurovision is going to lose the purpose it was born for: unite Europe through music. Sorry Australia :c

Kaija
Kaija
8 years ago

I don’t usually comment on these articles, but I’m a very dedicated Wiwibloggs reader and I personally would be overjoyed if Australia was welcomed back. That being said, I’m American and I pray that my country is never allowed anywhere near ESC.

Racal
Racal
8 years ago

Of course she’s saying that. She was on a promotional tour in Australia, and her goal is to reach to the biggest possible audience.

Anyway, if the reactions on social media are to be trusted, I don’t think Australia will get many points from the televoting since most people seem to want them out. 😀

Esc
Esc
8 years ago

No, no, no! Absolutely not. Let’s change Eurovision to Worldvision then. It makes no sense – what happened to Australia’s guest performance?

fikri
fikri
8 years ago

necessary? really?

how about lebanon’s participation? kazakhstan’s? malaysia’s? (ok the last one is random, but i wanna see my country in eurovision too! 🙁 )