Australia To Compete At Eurovision

Well, this is surprising. Via BBC News:

Australia is to compete at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Organisers issued a one-off invitation as part of the contest’s 60th anniversary celebrations. “It’s a daring and at the same time incredibly exciting move. It is our way of saying let’s celebrate this party together!” contest supervisor Jon Ola Sand said. Australia will be fast-tracked to the final, which will take place in Vienna, Austria, on 23 May. A total of 40 countries will now compete in the contest. The European Broadcasting Union said Australia had been given a wildcard for the final “to not reduce the chances” of the semi-final participants and because of the “one-off nature” of its participation. Australia will be allowed to vote in both semi-finals, as well as the grand final. The possibility of allowing the public to have a 50% stake in the Australian vote through televoting is also being explored.

Some of the 2015 Eurovision entries have already been selected but I’ve not posted any of them because they’ve all been quite dull. This year’s contest takes place in Austria, the home country of last year’s winner, Conchita Wurst, who will assume hosting duties in Vienna.