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Australia is set to compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, as part of the competition’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
The nation’s contestant, who is yet to be chosen, will fight it out in the semi-final and grand final to be held in Vienna, Austria, alongside 39 other countries.
Despite not being in Europe, Australia has a long tradition of broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest, and a loyal fan base who watch the event each year.
Organisers believe inviting Australia to take part also fits nicely with this year's Building Bridges theme.
In pictures: Eurovision 2014Show all 32 1 /32In pictures: Eurovision 2014 In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Conchita Wurst representing Austria performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Conchita Wurst representing Austria celebrates after winning the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Cleo of Donatan & Cleo representing Poland performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Molly Smitten-Downes representing Great Britain performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Andras Kallay-Saunders representing Hungary performs during Grand Final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Singer Conchita Wurst representing Austria performs the song 'Rise Like a Phoenix' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
AP
In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Firelight representing Malta performs during the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 The band Softengine representing Finland perform the song 'Something Better' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Firelight representing Malta performs during the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Singer Sanna Nielsen representing Sweden performs the song 'Undo' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 The band Elaiza representing Germany perform their song 'Is it right' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Singer Ruth Lorenzo representing Spain performs the song "Dancing in the rain" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Sebalter representing Switzerland perform during Grand Final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Teo of Belarus performs on stage during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2014
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 The Tolmachevy Sisters representing Russia perform the song 'Shine' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Basim representing Denmark perform during the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Basim representing Denmark perform during Grand Final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Valentina Monetta representing San Marino performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Firelight representing Malta perform during Grand Final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
EPA
In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 The band Twin Twin representing France perform their song 'Moustache' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 The Common Linnets representing The Netherlands perform during the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Aram Mp3 representing Armenia performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Aram Mp3 representing Armenia performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 From let to right: TV hosts Pilou Asbaek, Lise Ronne and Nikolaj Koppel present the Grand Final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Ovi of Paula Seling & Ovi representing Romania performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Carl Espen representing Norway performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Paula Seling of Paula Seling & Ovi representing Romania performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Pollapoenk representing Iceland performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Teo representing Belarus performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Singer Mariya Yaremchuk representing Ukraine performs the song 'Tick-Tock' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in the B&W Halls in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Dilara Kazimova representing Azerbaijan performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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In pictures: Eurovision 2014 Eurovision 2014 Teo representing Belarus performs during the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final in Copenhagen, Denmark
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Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the contest on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union, said: “It’s a daring and at the same time incredibly exciting move. It is our way of saying; let’s celebrate this party together!”
The Australian public will be allowed to vote in both the semi-finals and the grand final.
Conchita Wurst won last year's Eurovision Song Contest for Austria (Getty Images) Viewers from the other 39 participating countries will also be able to vote for the new competitor.
A jury is currently considering letting the public have a 50 per cent stake in the Australian vote via televoting.
As the invite is a one-off, the contest won’t take place down under if Australia wins this year's contest, but it will be allowed to send a participant to the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.
Australia has until 16 March to decide who will represent them at the show.
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