The Palaszczuk Government today revealed that SBS’s glittering television event Eurovision – Australia Decides, hosted by comedian Joel Creasey and music buff Myf Warhurst, will once again broadcast live from the Gold Coast in February 2022.
With the support of the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy and Tourism and Events Queensland, the event will be presented at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 February, to determine which song will represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Italy.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state’s investment in the high-profile two-day event will deliver significant benefits for the local screen and tourism sectors.
“The Gold Coast has hosted Eurovision – Australia Decides since the very beginning in 2019, attracting thousands of enthusiastic Eurovision fans from across the country and providing a platform to showcase the region to a huge national TV audience, all tuning in to vote for their favourite song,” said the Premier.
“Preparations for the broadcast will take place over four weeks, creating approximately 200 jobs for our highly skilled local TV crew, plus training opportunities giving emerging screen practitioners the on-the-job work experience they need.”
Environment Minister and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said Australia’s journey to the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Italy starts right here on the Gold Coast.
“Like previous Eurovision contenders Dami Im and Kate-Miller Heidke, I hope to see more born and raised Queensland talent submit their songs and take to the world stage,” Ms Scanlon said.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Tourism and Events Queensland had helped secure Eurovision – Australia Decides for the world-famous Gold Coast.
“With the Gold Coast’s glittering skyscrapers and picture-perfect beaches, we’re looking forward to welcoming Australian contestants and their fans to support jobs and the recovery of local tourism operators,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
Eurovision – Australia Decides is produced for SBS by Blink TV, the team behind the televised event The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Seven’s brand new entertainment format Australia Now and Then.
Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said hosting the national TV event in Queensland affords significant employment and training opportunities for the screen industry.
“Eurovision is one of the biggest television events in the world and to be part of this live, nation-wide production under the prestigious Eurovision banner is an immense career-building opportunity for local screen practitioners,” said Ms Munnich.
“Eurovision is a celebration of international unity raising the volume of diverse voices – a true exhibition of the power of screen to create a positive global impact and a much-needed sense of global community.”
The Friday night and Saturday afternoon performances will be ticketed dress rehearsals, with the live, exclusive SBS broadcast taking place on Saturday night, 26 February 7:30pm AEST.
SBS Director of Television and Online Content, Marshall Heald said songwriters from across the country are encouraged to submit their songs for the national selection on the sbs.com.au/Eurovision website, before 26 September.
“Australia is home to so many talented artists and songwriters, and SBS is proud to provide this international platform for our nation’s incredibly diverse music community,” said Mr Heald.
“Eurovision – Australia Decides is a unique opportunity for established and undiscovered songwriters to show us what they’ve got and for a suite of Australian artists to bring these songs to life on stage in February.”
Information about tickets to the Opening Night Show, Matinee Show and Live TV Final will be available soon.
-ENDS-
Images and footage available for download here
Media Enquiries: media@screenqld.com.au
IMAGES: Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey presenting Eurovision – Australia Decides: Gold Coast 2020. Images courtesy of SBS.
