SBS has announced a new format to select Australia's representing artist and song for the Eurovision Song Contest.
For the 2019 competition, SBS and Tourism and Events Queensland have launched Eurovision - Australia Decides - a live contest open to aspiring songwriters where a jury and the general public will vote for their favourite performer.
The contest will be held on 8 and 9 February and broadcast live on SBS at 7.30pm on 9 February.
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SBS Acting Managing Director James Taylor said the staging of the selection event came by popular demand.
“SBS has been the Australian home of the Eurovision Song Contest for 35 years and 2019 will mark Australia’s fifth year of competing in the event," he said.
"As our country’s passion for Eurovision continues to grow, we are inundated by fans wanting to have their say in choosing who represents Australia on the world’s biggest stage."
Comedian Joel Creasey and radio host Myf Warhurst will host the selection contest.
“I can’t wait to be part of the first ever Eurovision selection show in the Southern Hemisphere and find the next Aussie classic, up there with the likes of Farnsy’s You’re the Voice, Braithwaite’s The Horses or my personal favourite, the seminal debut single from Bardot, Poison," Creasey said.
“It’s over to you Australia – let’s give Europe our best.”
Eurovision 2019 marks Australia's fifth appearance at the music competition, with Indigenous artist Jessica Mauboy representing the country in this year's contest final in Lisbon.
Songwriters across Australia can submit an original composition as part of the selection process via sbs.com.au/eurovision
The song portal will be open for submissions until Sunday 4 November.
