For the first time since their debut back in 2015, Australia will not participate in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Broadcaster SBS have announced that due to the current COVID-19 travel restrictions, Australia will not be able to join.
At this stage, all international travel to and from Australia has been banned in order to gain control over the pandemic, with these restrictions likely to last until 2021. As such, it was inevitable that Australia would not be able to participate this year, with the contest taking place in Warsaw, Poland. The broadcaster also confirmed that this is not a permanent decision. Australia will likely return to the contest next year, if the restrictions are no longer in place.
Whether the travel restrictions will also affect Australia’s participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam is not official yet. It is not sure if the Australian delegation can get an exemption.
Junior Eurovision 2020 in Warsaw
Junior Eurovision 2020 will take place in Warsaw on the 29th of November. Unlike in previous years, this year’s contest will take place in a television studio rather than an arena.
Jordan Anthony represented Australia at Junior Eurovision 2019 with the song We Will Rise. You can watch the performance below:
This post has been written in collaboration with Eurovision Union