The Eurovision Song Contest voting procedure is legendary – and as unconventional as the performances.
Viewers in Australia and all other participating broadcasters are invited to vote for their favourite songs in the Eurovision Semi-final that their country competes in and the Grand Final, which makes up 50% of the total vote. More on how the public can vote below.
The other 50% of the vote is decided by a National Jury assembled in each participating country. Each jury comprises of a team of respected local music/entertainment figures with extensive experience in the industry and, of course, a passion for the world’s biggest song contest. The Eurovision Jury was selected by SBS and had to meet the criteria set out by the EBU.
Monica Trapaga (Chair)
Monica is best known for her work on the Australian series Play School but she is also an accomplished jazz singer, actress and author. Her professional career began as the femme fatale front person in the outrageously entertaining 1940’s inspired “Pardon Me Boys”, alongside her brother, notorious ex-punk rocker Ignatius Jones.
Shannon Noll
Nollsie’s rise to fame began as the first runner-up of the inaugural Australian Idol series in 2003. Since taking to the stage and commencing his successful recording career, he has gone on to receive acclaim with certified triple-platinum sales, number 1 hits and top 10 albums.
Myf Warhurst
Myf is a TV presenter, broadcaster, journalist and writer, best known for her seven year stint as a team captain on ABC TV’s Spicks and Specks. Since 2014 Myf can be heard daily hosting ‘Lunch With Myf’ on ABC’s digital radio station Double J – the perfect home for this massive music fan.
James Mathison
James Mathison is a TV presenter, radio host and part time film critic. But it’s his passion for music that started his diverse television career, scoring a job on Channel [V], before becoming co-host of the hugely successful Australian Idol. He presents Nova’s Summer breakfast and is also a regular guest on The Project, Studio 10 and Today.
Craig Porteils
Craig is a multi-skilled music producer, composer and mix engineer who started his career in Los Angeles in 1989 where he recorded top international artists such as Guns n Roses, Billy Idol, Cher, Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart andOzzy Ozbourne. In 2009 he fulfilled a dream of writing a song for the Eurovision Song Contest, penning Greek superstar Sakis Rouvos’s hit entry.
SBS Director of Television and Online Content Marshall Heald said:
“This year’s Australian Eurovision jury represents some of Australia’s biggest music fans – not to mention industry legends in their own right. I can’t think of a better team to meticulously score the Eurovision contestants’ exciting performances.”
PUBLIC VOTING
In each Semi-Final, 10 contestants are chosen to qualify for the Grand Final. As per the official Eurovision rules, viewers in all countries taking part in a particular Semi-Final are invited to vote via the official app, telephone and/or SMS. Australian viewers are eligible to vote in Semi Final 2 (in which Dami Im will perform) as well as The Grand Final. The voting window for Semi Final 2 and the Grand Final opens after the last song has been performed, and ends 15 minutes later.
For Australian viewers, this means they will need to tune into the LIVE broadcasts of Semi Final 2 Friday 13 May from 5am, and the Grand Final Sunday 15 May from 5am in order to cast their vote at the same time as European audiences. To vote they will need to text or call the numbers that appear on screen during these live broadcasts.
Jury members and public voters can’t vote for their own countries, but there are plenty of other outstanding acts alongside our Australian hopeful Dami Im.
Will voters take a shine to the naked Belarus’ entrant and his live wolves, or will Ireland’s ex-Westlife member Nicky Byrne woo them? Then again, Spain’s Barei has a meme-worthy dance, while high profile Russian singer/actor/TV presenter Sergey Lazarev, and Malta’s Ira Losco are both high in the betting odds.
AUSTRALIA’S EUROVISION SPOKESPERSON
Gold Logie-nominated, SBS World News presenter and regular contributor to SBS 2’s The Feed Lee Lin Chin will resume her role as Australia’s Eurovision Spokesperson after wowing Europe with her stylish delivery last year. The inimitable Ms Chin will once again present Australia’s allocation of points with aplomb, impeccable pronunciation and an asymmetrical outfit.
