The portrait of Britain's King Charles IIwill not feature on Australia’s new five dollar banknote, and its portrait of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, is to be replaced with a design honouring indigenous Australians, the country’s Reserve Bank has announced.
The decision comes following consultation with the Australian government, with the future design intended to pay tribute to “the culture and history of the First Australians”, the Reserve Bank said in a statement.
“The Bank will consult with First Australians in designing the $5 banknote,” the statement continued.
“The new banknote will take a number of years to be designed and printed. In the meantime, the current $5 banknote will continue to be issued. It will be able to be used even after the new banknote is issued.”
An effigy of the queen will continue to be printed on Australia’s coins until the Royal Australian Mint transitions to a portrait of the king later this year.
The queen's portrait has featured on the five dollar note since 1992, and is drawn from photographs commissioned by the Reserve Bank in 1984.
Much of Australia’s currency already features indigenous Australian figures and artworks.
