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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-08-28 Daily Xml
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Eurovision Song Context

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. T.A. Franks:

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.

(Continued from 15 May 2024.)

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (17:37): It is my absolute pleasure to bring this motion before this council. For those who do not know, or are about to know, Electric Fields brings together the brilliance and creativity of music producer and composer Michael Ross, with the mesmerising sensitivity of Zaachariaha Fielding, whose rare and beautiful voice has been described as 'taking soul to the stratosphere'.

These two feminine brothers create a striking and haunting merging of live, living traditional culture with electronic music. Co-writing music and delivering an evocative and memorable live performance experience, Electric Fields brings moments of breathtaking beauty and power to the stage, often featuring Zaachariaha's traditional languages of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara people. Electric Fields' music ranges from soulful pop to epic scale electronic works through to intensely intimate story songs.

Electric Fields are known not only here in South Australia but right across not only the nation but the globe. They have played festivals in Poland, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, China, Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland, London and the UK WOMAD, and closed the Sziget Festival in Budapest.

Electric Fields have really taken what is a wonderful South Australian story to the world stage and so it was my absolute pleasure to move this motion, noting that Electric Fields were the first ever duo to represent Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest this year. They represented Australia at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden with the soulful dance anthem One Mikali (One Blood). When they were announced as our representatives, they put out a joint statement that said:

We are buzzed with euphoria at our chance to share this music with the world. Our music comes from the deepest place in both of us and Eurovision is the most exciting opportunity to bring together our cultures and share the joy of global connection.

They did us proud but unfortunately they were not finalists and were pipped at the post at 11th place, something that was not reflective of their talent or, indeed, the beautiful performance, including Zaachariaha's art as well as the costuming, the composition and, indeed, the entirety of what was a truly Australian production on that stage.

Zaachariaha Fielding hails from Mimili, which is, as we know, a remote community in the Far North of our state. He brought Anangu language into that song as well as English and, given there are only some 4,000 or so speakers of that language, to have that on a world stage was a truly special thing to see. Indeed, popular music can inspire people in a way that speeches like this certainly cannot, but I hope that I go some way to paying tribute.

I have long been a fan of not just Electric Fields but Michael Ross and Zaachariaha Fielding, having met them both in different ways. I met Michael Ross on the steps of this Parliament House at a marriage equality rally where he had written a song and then performed it. We had a wonderful time on the steps that day as part of the then very much growing marriage equality campaign, which I am glad to see is now law right across our nation.

Zaachariaha Fielding might not remember this but I remember him from La Sing, where he would get up and perform on the stage way back when, well before either of them ever went on X Factor. Some members of the council and certainly the public might remember that Michael Ross did a performance of Diana Ross's You Can't Hurry Love and Zaachariaha did a performance of Tracy Chapman's Talkin' Bout a Revolution. Well, we have had a revolution and to see a band like Electric Fields performing globally, representing Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest, is the kind of revolution I want to see because if I cannot dance I do not want your revolution and Electric Fields certainly makes us dance.

I will also take an opportunity to sum-up, but I now invite other members to make a contribution noting, in a slightly unparliamentary way, that Electric Fields, their management and supporters are here in the gallery today.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (17:43): Ngayuku kulintja pukulpa panya Anangu tjutaku Tjukurpa nintini ngua winkingka. It fills me with pride and joy to see Anangu culture and lore shared on the world stage. To see today a motion brought by the Hon. Tammy Franks, it gives great pleasure for me on behalf of the government to support with much applause. We wish to congratulate Electric Fields, to express our sheer pride, joy and delight in seeing this wonderful pair and all they stand for absolutely shine here at home and on the world stage.

I am so glad that if it was parliamentary for me to say so I could comment that Michael and Zaachariaha have joined us today but it is probably not so I shall not do that. But it is a rare thing that we get to express our pride and our joy in how much others' achievements mean to us.

For nearly a decade now Michael and Zaachariaha have been creating joy together through their beautiful music, from the release of their debut album Inma to countless nominations and multiple awards won at things from the National Indigenous Music Awards, performances at huge events like Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, collaborations with the Adelaide Festival, with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and performances at things like WorldPride and AFL grand finals, none less. Electric Fields have gone from strength to strength and show no signs of slowing down.

Their unbelievable music talent is complemented by the beautiful way in which they weave their Yankunytjatjara language into their sound, putting the world's most ancient culture on the world stage. It was exciting but not surprising to learn that Zaachariaha and Michael had been chosen to represent Australia in one of the biggest musical events anywhere in the known universe, Eurovision. Their song One Milkali, or One Blood, was a beautiful choice for the contest, and it came to life on the stage with colour and vibrancy, which is synonymous with any Electric Fields' performance. It made me proud to watch these two shine as the rest of the world was able to share in the excitement and joy they bring.

I have spoken many times in this chamber about how important it is to preserve the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and cultures, and moments like this, when the language and culture is on show with some 160 million people across the globe tuning in, are truly priceless. The duo finished 11th in the contest—I am sure it was rigged in some way, because they should have been a lot higher than that; if I had the power I would launch an investigation, but my power as Attorney-General extends only to this state, I am afraid—but in doing so they have cemented their status as household names and have paved yet another step on their paths to even further greatness.

Electric Fields gives us so much to be excited about, both in terms of what it means in South Australia and in the country, putting outstanding local talent on the map and growing the representation of Aboriginal culture in the world.

I particularly want to say to Michael, 'Thank you for your immense skill, the energy you bring, and the way you platform and enable Aboriginal culture to be shown to the world.' To Zaachariaha, my little nephew—Zaachariaha's dad is my pulka, my brother-in-law; we are tied by family and by obligation to each other—'It fills me with such pride to see you perform on the biggest stages and then a couple of weeks later to be at your family house in Mimili and see you braiding the hair of your sisters at home. You have done remarkably, and we are all so very, very proud of you.' Palya ukari.

The Hon. T.T. NGO (17:47): I rise to speak in support of this motion and celebrate the success of a South Australian musical duo, Electric Fields. As the Hon. Tammy Franks' motion states, this is the first duo to represent Australia at the annual Eurovision contest.

The last time I stood up to speak on Eurovision I sang the whole speech. I am now a bit older and wiser, and I would like to save honourable members from embarrassment, as well as the rest of the public, and I will read my speech this time.

Vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding and keyboard player and producer Michael Ross have represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest on more than one occasion. Back in 2014, when the Eurovision contest celebrated its sixtieth birthday, the European Broadcasting Union invited Australia to compete as a wildcard entry. Since then we have not stopped competing on this musical platform.

The year 2014 also happened to be the year the duo Electric Fields was formed, and some five years later they gained widespread recognition after competing in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Electric Fields' music has been described as a fusion of electronic beats, traditional Indigenous sounds and contemporary pop elements. Their music often explores themes of Indigenous identity, culture and empowerment.

In the 2024 Eurovision contest, the duo was joined on stage by Butchulla song man, Fred Leone, who for the first time played the didgeridoo or Yidaki. They performed their newest dance anthem, One Milkali, which loosely translates to 'one blood' and represents the dream for a world where we are all united. At the Eurovision semi-final on 8 May 2024, Electric Fields came first for their performance of the song.

The Labor Malinauskas government has been a big supporter of Electric Fields, as well as other performing artists, through many programs and pathways aimed to support the careers of our musicians and artists. It is especially exciting that this South Australian duo, whose music is deeply rooted in storytelling and incorporates the Pitjantjatjara language in their songs, now has worldwide recognition.

Historically, music has often been used as a medium for advocacy and social impact. The music of Electric Fields highlights some of the issues facing our Aboriginal communities like land rights, identity and social justice which can help to give a voice to marginalised communities. We can be proud that their songs convey personal and communal narratives about the experiences, struggles and joys of Indigenous Australians.

On behalf of the Labor Malinauskas government, I thank them for helping to foster greater understanding of Australia's heritage and for showcasing this heritage in a contemporary and dynamic way, providing positive role models, especially for our young Indigenous Australians. We stand in support of the Hon. Tammy Franks' motion and wish Electric Fields every success in the future.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (17:51): I rise today on behalf of the Liberal Party to support the Hon. Tammy Franks' motion. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to acknowledge South Australian band Electric Fields and congratulate the fabulous duo, Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross, for representing Australia at the 2024 Eurovision song contest.

Growing up in the neighbourhood of Payneham as a teenager, our family home was surrounded by European migrants, and they passionately introduced the colourful Eurovision program to our family in the 1970s. The convergence of multilingual, multicultural and multitalented artists in spectacular, outlandish costumes, a fusion of traditional soulful ballads to modern electrical sounds on the magnificent special effects stage, are some of the hallmarks that make Eurovision perhaps the most eccentric song competition ever to continue to grace our screens.

Eurovision has been held annually since 1956, making it one of the world's longest running international music competitions on television. Why is Australia competing in Eurovision when we are not part of Europe? So many people ask that question but, believe it or not, it is because Australia has been one of the event's biggest markets outside Europe. Australian broadcaster SBS has been covering the contest since 1983—over four decades. Australia has participated in the Eurovision song contest since 2015 and is the only country outside the European broadcasting area to have ever competed in Eurovision.

I recall I moved a motion in Parliament House about Eurovision when Guy Sebastian represented Australia on the Eurovision stage for the first time in 2015 and I also recall the Hon. Tammy Franks spoke in support of my motion. I thank her again for that. Now fast forward to this year and Australia voted for South Australia's very own Electric Fields to represent us on the Eurovision stage. Fabulous vocalist, Zaachariaha Fielding, and keyboard player and producer, Michael Ross, have been performing as Electric Fields since 2015. They blend their soulful pop with upbeat electronics to create the most vibrant and eclectic music.

Today, it is wonderful to have the opportunity to recognise the extraordinary achievements of two amazing artists. Zaachariaha is a multiple award winner and a celebrated South Australian artist from Mimili in the APY lands and, alongside his collaborator, Michael Ross, in Electric Fields, is an artist and musician of great talent.

To see the band Electric Fields perform on the stage at Eurovision in front of more than 160 million viewers throughout the world is just an extraordinary achievement. As a multicultural country where we celebrate and embrace diversity and cultures of the world, it is incredibly significant that Australians are invited to participate in the Eurovision contest.

Congratulations to Electric Fields and well done to Zaachariaha and Michael for their epic performance presenting the song One Mikali (One Blood). This meaningful song is about unity, solidarity and embracing the richness of an Aboriginal language sung for the first time at the Eurovision contest. The performance also featured musician Fred Leone on the yidaki, or didgeridoo, another Eurovision first.

I am so pleased that both Zaachariaha and Michael are here in the gallery together with the management team and lots of fans. It is a great privilege to recognise their well-deserved achievements today in this parliament. I join honourable members and thank them for representing Australia on the world stage and acknowledge their contributions to the arts and music industry locally and internationally. I wish Electric Fields a bright and successful future ahead. Stand tall and be great. Congratulations. It is a great privilege to support this motion.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (17:56): It is my great pleasure to thank the contributors tonight for their support of the motion—obviously the motion is going to pass, to put you out of your suspense—the Hon. Jing Lee, the Hon. Tung Ngo, and the Hon. Kyam Maher, who made a contribution in language, which was also a wonderful thing to see.

I just want to reflect that, in the tradition of what Electric Fields does, they bring people together, they create connection. In Michael's words, he sees Electric Fields as a 'bridge between people'. In Zaachariaha's words they are 'a big collaboration with the universe. We are caretakers of an energy. It is finding its way and we are just the mother and father to do it.'

In that spirit, obviously I commend the motion but I also invite all members of this council to join us in the balcony bar during the dinner break to celebrate the fine work of Electric Fields and their wonderful success and all those who support them. I also want to reflect that it is a long way from the balcony of the Backpackers to the balcony bar, so I will toast you to that. With that, I commend the motion.

Motion carried.

Sitting suspended from 17:58 to 19:46.

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