Eurovision: Where to from here for Australia?

May 24, 2015 11:23 pm 2 comments Views: 2

Guy Sebastian and wife Jules representing Australia waits for the voting to start during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Source: AP

IT’S too early to tell if Australia will ever receive another wildcard entry to the Eurovision Song Contest but experts are predicting China might be next in line for a guest appearance.

Australia’s Guy Sebastian finished fifth in Vienna behind Swedish winner Mans Zelmerlow.

SBS commentator Julia Zemiro says whether Australia appears again could depend on how many people voted Down Under.

“If Australia put in quite a lot of voting they (the organisers) might consider it,” Zemiro told reporters at the Stadthalle arena.

Guy Sebastian performs the song ‘Tonight Again’ during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Source: AP

“But really I don’t think they know. The script is being written.” Sweden’s delegation head Christer Bjorkman was asked on Saturday night (Sunday morning AEST) if Australia should be allowed to compete again in 2016 even though they didn’t win.

“It was fantastic having Australia here, they are such good people, they are friendly and indeed made this journey for us really good because we’ve become friends with them,” Bjorkman said. “It’s a shame in a way that they can’t be here next year.” Zemiro’s co-commentator Sam Pang said it was amazing Australia appeared in this year’s Eurovision.

“We always thought that was a magnificent achievement,” he told reporters.

The press room gets crazy when Guy Sebastian is on stage.
Source: Supplied

“You couldn’t be prouder.” But Pang thinks the next wildcard will go the way of China. The event was broadcast into China live for the first time in 2015 and the Asian superpower sent two commentators to Vienna. The country was also mentioned during the official broadcast.

“From experience once you start sending commentators you never know what can happen,” Pang said.

SBS first sent him and Zemiro to Moscow in 2009. In 2013 Australia had a video included before pop princess Jessica Mauboy was invited to sing during the second semi-final’s interval in 2014.

Then, to help celebrate the 60th anniversary and in recognition of its strong fan base, Australia was invited to compete in the grand final in Austria in 2015.