KING Charles III’s image will not feature on Australia’s new five dollar banknote.
The decision has been made following a consultation with the Australian government with the banknote’s current portrait of Queen Elizabeth set to be replaced with a design honouring indigenous Australians.
It is intended to pay tribute to “the culture and history of the First Australians”, the Reserve Bank said in a statement.
“The Bank will consult with First Australians in designing the $5 banknote”, the statement continued.
Writing on social media, Lidia Thorpe, who serves as deputy leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate, said: “This is a massive win for the grassroots, First Nations people who have been fighting to decolonise this country.
This is a massive win for the grassroots, First Nations people who have been fighting to decolonise this country. First Nations people never ceded our Sovereignty to any King or Queen, ever. Time for a Treaty Republic! pic.twitter.com/J4LjyFXwUe
— Senator Lidia Thorpe (@SenatorThorpe) February 2, 2023
“First Nations people never ceded our sovereignty to any King or Queen, ever. Time for a Treaty Republic!”
An effigy of the Queen will continue to be printed on Australia’s coins until the Royal Australian Mint transitions to a portrait of the King later this year.
READ MORE: Prince William and Kate's Windsor food bank trip leads to 'publicity stunt' accusations
Queen Elizabeth’s portrait has featured on the five dollar note since 1992, and is drawn from photographs commissioned by the Reserve Bank in 1984.
Much of Australia’s currency already features indigenous Australian figures and artworks.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel