Gold Coast lands ‘Eurovision: Australia Decides’ event

The Gold Coast has beaten Sydney and Melbourne to stage the first Eurovision: Australia Decides event.

Broadcaster SBS and production partner Blink TV are testing a new initiative that has been tried out abroad, where rather than make the choice internally, the public will help choose the final artist and song as Australia’s entry for Tel Aviv in May 2019.

First songwriters and composers are invited to submit original songs via the SBS website by Sunday, October 28.

A jury panel and TV audience will vote in a 50:50 split from a list of possible entrants and songs, which are already selected by SBS and Blink TV,

The event is held on Friday, February 8 and Saturday 9 at a location to be announced, while the live show is at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on February 9.

Blink TV director Paul Clarke said, “We have great plans to make the Gold Coast Eurovision Central in February 2019, so spandex and sequins at the ready – it will be an awesome show.”

Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland premier and trade minister had the smugs, pointing out how the Gold Coast already nabbed the Commonwealth Games and the Logies.

“We’re just continuing to build on the Gold Coast’s international reputation as a powerhouse of Australia’s film and television industry,” she said.