EUROVISION'S 30 MOST CONTROVERSIAL MOMENTS. 
Part 25: 2015 (Australia?).
Continues tomorrow.

THE BIGGEST CONTROVERSIES

Of the

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

(1956 - 2019)  

From its inaugural year, the Eurovision Song Contest has had more than its fair share of controversial moments. This is a special look back on 30 significant upsets in chronological order.

2015

Australia?

The 60^th Eurovision Song Contest took place in Vienna. To mark the occasion, Australia was invited to participate as a one-off. The ESC had been popular with TV viewers there for years. In order for Australia’s inclusion not to impede any of the regular competitors, the country pre-qualified for the Grand Final. Guy Sebastian performed “Tonight Again” and the Australian entry finished in 5^th place.

Sweden won in 2015. The following year, Stockholm hosted the Contest. Australia was invited back by the Swedes. This time, Dami Im’s “The Sound Of Silence” claimed the runner-up position.

The same objections that were raised when Israel joined the Eurovision family, have been directed towards Australia’s presence. Geographically, the country is in an entirely different hemisphere. For now, Australia’s participation has been guaranteed until 2023.

It is worth noting that other non- European nations compete in the ESC; namely Israel and the United Kingdom. In the past, the African countries Morocco and Tunisia have also been approved.