Australia's central bank says it will remove the British monarchy from its bank notes
NPR Online NewsNov 02, 2022
The Facts
According to an announcement from Australia's central bank on Thursday, King Charles III will not appear on the country's new five-dollar note.
An indigenous design will be featured instead of the British monarch, who remains Australia's head of state. A statement from the bank declared that the change would honor "the culture and history of the First Australians," but clarified that the other side of the five-dollar banknote "will continue to feature the Australian parliament."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The new King belongs on the five-dollar banknote. The Labor government does not have the mandate to implement a "republic by stealth" and — until the Australian people make the democratic decision otherwise — Australia is still a constitutional monarchy. Charles III possesses the same level of affection for the nation as his late mother — Australia should honor that.
Establishment-critical narrative
King Charles III will still be featured on Australian currency, just not banknotes. It is high time that First Australians — who make up 3.2% of the population — were consulted and recognized through the currency of Australia, rather than the lineage of colonizers.