Since 1992, the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II has featured on the Australian five dollar banknote. But now the face of the late regent is to give way to a design that honors the culture and history of the Aborigines. For Charles III is no place.
Australia will no longer have British monarchs on banknotes. After the death of Elizabeth II, her successor Charles III. not appear on banknotes, the central bank said. Instead, an indigenous motif should be shown on the five-dollar banknote, which has so far emblazoned on the deceased Queen.
The decision was agreed with the government, which supports the change, the central bank said. At the same time, she admitted that the conversion and printing of the new banknotes would take a few years. First of all, indigenous representatives should be consulted on what the design could look like. Until then, the five-dollar bills with the Queen's face will continue to be printed. They will continue to be valid afterwards.
With the introduction of the new five-dollar note, there will no longer be a British monarch on any Australian banknote. Other notes and coins Down Under already feature famous Aboriginal figures and artwork. The portrait of the monarch has been printed on banknotes since 1992.
The head of state of Australia is still the respective British monarch. However, the Commonwealth country has been discussing a possible separation from the royal family for some time. The death of Elizabeth II in September last year also triggered public mourning in Australia. At the same time, however, indigenous groups protested against the royal family, accusing the monarchy of being partly responsible for colonial crimes.
