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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Kate McMullin

Why Australia is in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023

Australia is not in Europe however since 2015 the country has been allowed to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest.

This year the Eurovision Song Contest is being held in Liverpool at the M&S Bank Arena, with the final taking place on May 13, 2023.

However, while it is expected we see countries such as UK, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy in the competition, Australia is somewhat of an anomaly.

READ MORE: Eurovision 2023 score sheet, sweepstake kit and drinking game - download it here

So why is Australia allowed to be in the Eurovision Song Contest?

Australia initially joined the competition in 2015 when the theme for Eurovision was "Building Bridges", with the European Broadcasting Union extending an invite to the nation to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

There were special circumstances surrounding Australia's entry and organisers allowed Australia to compete directly in the final, without going through a semi-final, so "to not reduce the chances" of the semi-final participants.

Given its location, Australia agreed to co-host the following year's contest with another Europe-based country - Germany acting as the first choice and the United Kingdom as a backup.

Their inaugural performance was so well received by fans and the contest's organisers, they were invited back once again but under regular circumstances, meaning they would need to compete in the semi-finals.

In 2016 their second representative, Dami Im, stormed the competition and arguably, due to her success, become the reason Australia was allowed a longer stay in Eurovision.

Her track, Sound of Silence, came second to none other than that year's winner, Ukraine's Jamala.

And following their glowing results across the board, they were continuously invited back on a year-to-year basis before being offered a five-year contract in 2018.

This year is the end of that five year contract so it is not yet known whether Australia will be in next year's competition.

Australian Head of Delegation Paul Clarke said: "This is a wonderful validation of what Australia has brought to Eurovision, and we say 'Thank You Europe!' for their decision. The Australian music artists and industry have completely risen to the exciting challenge.

"Australians have really fallen in love with the joy, and Eurovision has become part of the Australian entertainment calendar. Europe knows it can always expect great music and passion from Australia."

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