Australia Archives

Australia Divided Over Eurovision 2026 – How SBS Responds to the Israel Controversy

October 10, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Will Australia boycott Eurovision 2026? SBS responds to political criticism and chooses to remain neutral regarding Israel’s participation – here are all the details behind the controversy. As Australian politicians call for a strong stance against Israel, the national broadcaster SBS has opted for a different approach – maintaining neutrality. The decision not to take a position on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 has sparked debate in the local parliament. As accusations and boycott calls spread, SBS insists on continuing business as usual – preserving Australia’s decades-long musical link to Europe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Storm in the Aussie Parliament During a heated parliamentary session, Green Party Senator Mehreen Faruqi criticized the network’s decision: “Israel is set to perform pop songs while it bombs Palestinian children. If Israel participates, will Australia withdraw or provide media coverage?” Acting CEO Jane Palfreyman responded that during such sensitive times, a public broadcaster must remain neutral and refrain from taking political sides. Later in the session, SBS’s head of public...

No Longer Taken for Granted: More Countries Clarify – We Will Not Boycott Israel at Eurovision

September 17, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The debate over Israel’s Eurovision participation intensifies. While some push for boycotts, Malta and Australia confirmed they will compete in Eurovision 2026 regardless of Israel’s inclusion. The debate over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 continues to draw in more and more countries across Europe, and now even beyond. Malta and Australia both released official statements yesterday (Tuesday) regarding their planned participation in this year’s Eurovision. Following the controversy sparked by Spain, which declared it would withdraw if Israel is not excluded, the positions emerging from Malta and Australia bring a refreshing and significant counterpoint. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Malta: "Eurovision is a Place for Dialogue" Malta’s Minister of Culture, Owen Bonnici, told the "Times of Malta" that his country will not join calls to boycott Israel. According to him, the contest should encourage a “culture of dialogue” and serve as a space for understanding and attentive listening between nations. Bonnici clarified: “I completely condemn the actions of the Israeli government, but...

Daniel Estrin, Diagnosed with Cancer, Shares an Emotional Update on His Health

September 10, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In a video posted on social media, Voyager, Australia's representatives at Eurovision 2023, shared an update on the health of Danny Estrin, who was diagnosed with cancer about two years ago. Will the band return to perform for the first time since the difficult news? Voyager, who represented Australia at Eurovision 2023, has shared a new update regarding the health of their Jewish frontman Danny Estrin, who was diagnosed with cancer nearly two years ago. Due to his illness, the band was forced to cancel shows in and outside of Australia. Now, however, there appears to be some positive progress in his condition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Estrin announced in a video posted on the band’s social media: "The good news is that the cancer is under control, [...] It’s been two years since my diagnosis and I’m still here despite the odds. The bad news is that the side effects remain difficult, and I continue with chemotherapy every few weeks". It...

Australia Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026!

September 3, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Australian national broadcaster SBS has confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. The method for selecting Australia’s entry has not yet been decided. The Australian national broadcaster SBS has confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria. Australia is the 25th country to express interest in participating in Eurovision 2026, following Albania, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); SBS issued the confirmation earlier today (Wednesday) to the blog TV Tonight Australia, with the official statement later published via the blog’s X account, declaring: “Yes, Australia will compete at Eurovision in Vienna”. #SBSUpfront #SBS2026 Yes Australia will compete at #Eurovision in Vienna — TV Tonight Australia (@tvtonightau) September 3, 2025 No additional details were provided regarding the Australian selection process. However, reviewing past selection methods reveals that only three entries (2019, 2020, and 2022) were chosen via the national...

From the Far South to the North: Montaigne & Daði Freyr Unite for a Global Tour!

July 28, 2025July 28, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision stars of 2020 and 2021, Montaigne and Daði Freyr, are joining forces for a joint tour across Australia and Europe — an intriguing collaboration that places Eurovision culture at the heart of the European stage. Another exciting collaboration has emerged between Daði Freyr and Montaigne on an upcoming joint tour. This tour will take place in the coming weeks and will also feature Montaigne joining Daði Freyr’s European tour happening in September and October across four major countries — United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands. This collaboration follows the release of Montaigne’s new album and aims to reinforce the Eurovision Song Contest as a symbol of global pop culture. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Impact of the Tour: Trends of Collaboration and Community Unification Collaborations between Eurovision artists, such as the partnership of Montaigne and Daði Freyr, have become increasingly common and illustrate a clear trend: the blurring of competition borders in favor of a...

Eurovision 2026: Which artists do we want to see compete? Part 1

July 8, 2025July 16, 2025 by Ronnie Glik Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Special: Who are the potential artists to compete in Eurovision 2026 in Austria? Who are the artists we would like to see in the next competition? Albania, Armenia and Australia. The Eurovision 2026 season is approaching, and with it the main question: which artists will we see representing their country in the competition? In our series of articles, we will introduce you to several well-known artists from each country, whom we believe are worthy of representing their country and whom we would like to see on the Eurovision stage in Austria. Each article will focus on four different countries and several artists from each country, so through these articles you can get to know many new artists, and perhaps we will even see some of them in future competitions! So who are the artists that could bring the best result for Albania, Armenia and Australia? Accurate Predictions for Eurovision 2025 Ahead of the Eurovision 2025 season, the article series addressed...

Courtney Act, RuPaul’s Drag Race Star: “Working on a Song for Eurovision”

June 21, 2025July 16, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “I’m planning a song that will take Australia to the final”: Courtney Act, RuPaul’s Drag Race star, expresses her ambition to compete at Eurovision and shares how she aims to make a splash in the competition. As Australia celebrates a decade of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, one of its most prominent broadcast personalities - Courtney Act - hints at clear intentions: “I’m learning, building, and getting ready to submit the perfect song”. In an interview during the promotion of her new show “The Diana Mixtape”, the Australian diva revealed that she is quietly crafting the song that could launch her from her role as a host to center stage at the world’s biggest song competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); From TV Host to Eurovision Hopeful: Courtney Act’s Strategic Vision What Courtney Act said in the interview - “I’m filling my Eurovision cup” - was not just a metaphor, but evidence of a long-term plan. For...

Which Former Eurovision Representative Will Announce Australia’s Jury Points at Eurovision 2025?

May 17, 2025May 17, 2025 by Nitsan Eliraz Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Australia at Eurovision 2025: The Australian national broadcaster has announced the country's official jury spokesperson for Eurovision in Basel. Which famous former representative was chosen for this important role? As in every year, one of the most suspenseful and memorable moments at Eurovision is the voting stage. This year, Silia Kapsis, who represented Cyprus at last year's Eurovision in Malmö with the song "Liar," will serve as Australia's official spokesperson at Eurovision 2025, revealing the points of the country's professional jury. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Silia Kapsis Returns to the Eurovision Stage in a New Role Silia Kapsis is an 18-year-old singer of Cypriot-Greek descent, born and raised in Sydney, Australia. In 2022, the singer released her debut single "?Who Am I," which she wrote and composed at the age of 12. She later released two more tracks: "No Boys Allowed" and "Disco Dancer." Silia was the lead vocalist in the youth performing arts group "AYPAC." She...

Australia’s Second Rehearsal: Go-Jo Takes the Eurovision 2025 Stage

May 8, 2025May 8, 2025 by Guy Solo Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Australia’s Eurovision 2025 representative, Go-Jo held his second rehearsal in Basel with the song “Milkshake Man”. Stay tuned for all updates from Switzerland. Go-Jo, Australia's representative, was the first act to rehearse today on the Eurovision 2025 stage with his song “Milkshake Man“. Go-Jo will perform as song number 1 in the second semi-final, scheduled for May 15th. In the released video, Go-Joo can be seen entering the giant blender located at the center of the stage and changing outfits in a flash, while singing and performing as an orography. It seems that more surprises are expected in the performance of the Australian representative... (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Retro Visuals and Surprises: The show radiates a 1970s and 1980s atmosphere, reminiscent of Australia’s Eurovision 2023 representatives, Voyager, and their staging. There’s even a keytar solo. In the middle of the performance, there’s an explosion of color that captures the same wild and cheeky energy as...

Australia’s First Rehearsal: Go-Jo Takes the Eurovision 2025 Stage

May 5, 2025May 5, 2025 by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Australia’s Eurovision 2025 representative, Go-Jo held his first rehearsal in Basel with the song “Milkshake Man”. Stay tuned for all updates from Switzerland. Go-Jo, Australia's representative, is the first act to rehearse today on the Eurovision 2025 stage with his song “Milkshake Man“. Go-Jo will perform as song number 1 in the second semi-final, scheduled for May 15th. Australia is one of the most intriguing rehearsals we have this year, since with Go-Jo being selected through an internal selection, we have no idea what to expect. The nostalgic rehearsal features an unexpected prop, dancers, and a strong 1980s vibe. The performance opens with a retro commercial, presenting Go-Jo as an enthusiastic salesman. Go-Jo’s boundless energy and talent, along with the element of surprise, are evident in the staging as well-he draws inspiration from the music video, incorporating bold neon tones, playful wardrobe choices, and a nostalgic charm. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Retro Visuals and...