New banknotes in Australia will no longer have a picture of a British king or queen, the Australian central bank reports. The late British Queen Elizabeth II can still be seen on the 5 dollar bill, but her successor King Charles will never appear on an Australian banknote.
‘Sensational decision’
Australian media speak of a ‘sensational decision’. King Charles is Australia’s head of state and his mother has featured on Australian banknotes since 1966. Her father, King George V, was the first British monarch to appear on an Australian banknote from 1923, one hundred years ago.
The new $ 5 note, which has yet to be designed, will honor the “culture and history of the first Australians” instead of the British royal family, the central bank reports.
Could take a while
It may be several years before the new banknote is in circulation. In the meantime, the current note featuring Queen Elizabeth II remains.
In Australia, the response to the news is mixed. The Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, speaks of a ‘silly’ change that he blames on ‘woke’ thinkers.
