Australia Won't Be Attending Eurovision This Year... But Don't Panic We Are Still Competing

SBS has revealed that it will not be sending an Australian delegation and artist to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands due to “the challenges of the ongoing pandemic”.

Australia’s 2021 entry, Montaigne, was originally scheduled to head to Rotterdam this May for the event, but will instead present her song Technicolour from Australia.

“Australia has embraced the Eurovision spirit for more than 35 years on SBS, and our affection and excitement for the contest has continued to grow since we first competed in Vienna in 2015,” SBS said in a statement.

“In 2021, Australia will once again compete in the world’s biggest song contest but this time our artist, Montaigne, will perform from home and not abroad."

Montaigne said: “Naturally, I’m sad that for two years in a row I have been unable to participate in the live spectacle of Eurovision. My partner and I had been discussing what video games we would bunker down with in a hotel room in Rotterdam between rehearsals for the final event, and we were excited about it. 

“Despite that disappointment, it is still an immense privilege to be able to participate and compete in Eurovision, in its fandom and its processes, two years in a row. I have been able to submit two songs that I’m proud of and that have meant significant things to people. I am still absolutely stoked that I can present Technicolour this year, in whatever form my final performance may come in! It’s such a beautiful festivity and not even a pandemic can put it to bed. Eurovision will live forever.”

Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl added: “We regret that we are not able to welcome Montaigne to Rotterdam in May. However, we understand the unique challenges presented to the hard working Australian delegation who have until the very end tried their utmost to make their presence in the Netherlands possible. 

“We are pleased that we are still able to let them compete with the other 38 participants thanks to the ‘live on tape’ recording of Montaigne’s song Technicolour. 

“Australia have always brought diversity, excitement and energy to the Eurovision Song Contest and despite their team being far away this year they will be close to all our hearts in Rotterdam.”

Eurovision will be broadcast via SBS from 19-23 May.