Eurovision Song Contest

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (16:16): I move:

That this council notes that South Australian band Electric Fields are the first duo to represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest and wishes them every success.

It is my absolute pleasure to move this motion today that this council notes that the South Australian band Electric Fields are the first duo to represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest and wishes them every success in Eurovision and beyond.

Earlier this year, SBS announced that South Australian electronic duo Electric Fields were the 2024 Australian representatives for the Eurovision Song Contest. That band is a duo of two wonderful South Australians, vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding and keyboard player and producer Michael Ross, who have been performing as Electric Fields since 2015 and are very well known to South Australian audiences and audiences across Australia and across the globe.

Mr President, I believe that you and I were once at an Aboriginal Lands Trust event where my squealing gave away my joy that Electric Fields were performing that night. The pair's eclectic music blends soulful pop and upbeat electronica and they have become known for their lively and visually vibrant live performances. Indeed, I think those who have seen Electric Fields live know it is where they shine, and it is absolutely engaging and inspiring to see them perform.

Zaachariaha Fielding grew up in the remote community of Mimili on the APY lands and Michael Ross, while he grew up in Logan, Queensland, has been a South Australian for many years now and the duo are based in Adelaide. The song they took to the Eurovision competition this year in Malmö is called One Milkali, which loosely translates to 'one blood'. Indeed, the song has some wonderful Yankunytjatjara culture being brought finally to the Eurovision stage and it featured a didgeridoo in the performance. As Zaachariaha Fielding told NITV, the national Indigenous television of our nation, the song is about all of us being together as one—a wonderful message from South Australia to the world.

At this point, I seek leave to conclude my comments. I intend to take this motion to a vote on the next Wednesday of sitting and note that myself and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs hope to co-host an event with Electric Fields coming to the Parliament of South Australia where the Parliament of South Australia can pay tribute to them and indeed come together as one on that day.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.