Eurovision is a fun singing competition that takes place once a year. Traditionally it was for European countries, however, in 2015 Australia joined the competition. It seemed that this would be a one off as a way to commemorate the 60th competition. Yet, Australia returned the following year and now Eurovision have extended their involvement in the competition until at least 2023. Graham Norton (who is the UK presenter of the show) claimed that Australia’s participation in Eurovision is ‘stupid’. His comments received backlash; however, I agree with him. It is nothing to do with being anti-Australian, their involvement in the competition is just strange. Australia is on the other side of the world from Europe, a part of a completely different continent. Eurovision has got the term Europe in its name, not ‘worldvision’, so I do not understand why Australia are able to compete. Eurovision is also full of ‘ancient rivalries, barely contained blood feuds and uneasy alliances between countries.’ Australia is not involved in any of these political feuds and friendships that make the competition what it is. Australia is like Europe’s kind cousin that everyone likes, however they do not really fit into Eurovision. Australia’s involvement in Eurovision just seems bizarre and illogical. What’s next – France competing in the Asian games? Denmark sending a team to compete in the American football games? WORKS CITED: Tan Monica, ‘Graham Norton is right, Australia’s participation in Eurovision is stupid’ (11 May 2016), https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/may/11/graham-norton-is-right-australias-participation-in-eurovision-is-stupid

If it was decided that Australia should not be allowed to compete in *Eurovision*, we would theoretically also have to remove the other non-European countries which are also involved in the competition. This includes Israel and Armenia. And then what would become of countries whose borders lie partially inside of Europe? This includes the likes of Azerbaijan and Georgia. The question of why certain countries which are not a part of Europe are allowed to compete in *Eurovision* can be answered: everyone has the right to compete in *Eurovision* if they are a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBS). Therefore, the contest has nothing to do with actually being within the European Union or even the borders of Europe. Australia, as a member of the EBS, has an equal right to participate in *Eurovision*, despite not being a European nation. **WORKS REFERENCED** ‘Eurovision 2015: Just why are Australia, Israel and other non-European nations taking part in the contest?’, (https://metro.co.uk/2015/05/14/eurovision-2015-just-why-are-australia-israel-and-other-non-european-nations-taking-part-in-the-contest-5198083/?ito=cbshare)

I totally agree with **catrinw**'s comment. I think it is perfectly legitimate to include countries bordering on or very near to Europe (e.g. Georgia, Armenia, Israel), but not ones on the other side of the flipping planet (be that Vietnam, South Korea, the USA, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand or Australia). Also, if people want to argue something on ethnic lines, then why isn't Canada involved? Or the USA? Probably because those countries had the sense to realise they're not part of Europe. I feel like Australia's involvement is weird and a distracting element. If they want to participate in an international song contest, then they should seriously establish or join one in their part of the world: The Asiavision / Pacificvision song contest. (That would actually be good—imagine the talent from Korea, Japan, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Samoa, _etc._ and they might even get songs not being almost all in English unlike what has happened in Europe.)