The five dollar note is the only one currently featuring the effigy of a British monarch in Australia. TORSTEN BLACKWOOD / AFP FILES / AFP
The portrait of Elizabeth II will be replaced by a design honoring the native culture, and not by the effigy of Charles III.
The effigy of British sovereigns will disappear from banknotes in Australia, where the portrait of Elizabeth II will be replaced on the new five-dollar notes by a design honoring indigenous culture, and not by the effigy of Charles III, announced Thursday, February 2 the central bank of the country. The five dollar note is the only one currently featuring the effigy of a British monarch in Australia.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has indicated that indigenous people will be consulted on a new design that “honors the culture and history of early Australians”. The design and printing of the new banknote will take “a number of years”, she clarified. Banknotes bearing the likeness of the late Queen already in circulation will continue to be legal tender.
The death of Queen Elizabeth on September 8 was marked by a day of national mourning in Australia, a member country of the Commonwealth whose official head of state is King Charles III, represented by a governor general. But some indigenous groups denounced the destructive consequences of British colonization, calling for the abolition of the monarchy.
To think that an unelected king should feature on our coinage in place of first nations chiefs and elders and prominent Australians is no longer justifiable”
Craig Foster, President of the Australian Republican Movement
The central bank has said its decision is backed by the centre-left Labor government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, which favors a possible move towards an Australian republic. The disappearance of the effigy of the sovereigns was hailed by the Australian Republican Movement (ARM), which pointed out that indigenous peoples predated British colonization by 65,000 years.
“Australia believes in meritocracy and the idea that someone can be on our currency because of their birthright is irreconcilable, as is the idea that they can be our head of state by birthright »said Craig Foster, president of ARM. “To think that an unelected king should be on our coinage in place of first nations chiefs and elders and eminent Australians is no longer justifiable in the hour of truth, reconciliation and ultimately peace. formal, cultural and intellectual independence”he added.