Embarrassing: Royal Family suffer international blow as monarch replaced on…
The Royal Family has suffered an international blow as the British monarch will not feature on the new Australian $5 note.
The newly redesigned bill will feature a new Indigenous theme in place of the British monarch, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has revealed.
The changes mean that the note’s net design won’t have an image of King Charles III, who serves as head of state in the commonwealth nation.
It is the first time that a monarch’s image won’t be used on the bill.
Queen Elizabeth II’s face has been on the $5 bill since 1992.
RBA assistant governor Michelle McPhee said the next theme is called Connection to Country and will instead focus on the significance of country to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
In a statement, the Reserve Bank said: “Country is the land, the waters and the sky.
“Key to this theme is the recognition of First Nations communities’ contribution to the restoration and conservation of our environment.
Like the UK, the bill is the smallest note in value.
The RBA explained that each of the 2,100 submissions for the new design, which is yet to be finalised, should take into account the 1992 overturning of the doctrine of terra nullius.
This was the legal justification for treating Australia as a settled colony in 1788 and not a conquered land.
Although King Charles is head of state in Australia and the nation remains part of the commonwealth, the nation transitioned to full sovereignty through a gradual process during the 20th century.
The overturning in 1992 by the high court recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ continuing connection and rights to land and water.
The RBA explained: “An important context for this connection is the overturning of the concept of terra nullius. In acknowledging connection and caring for Country the theme should be inclusive, recognising the nature of Country varies, but it is all connected.”
King Charles visited the nation for the first time since becoming monarch in October last year.
Despite some protests, the King was greeted by thousands of flag waving royal enthusiast and the trip was deemed a success by most.
