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last mo.

Australia’s $5 Note to Feature First Nations Theme, Replacing Monarch’s Portrait

The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced the theme 'Connection to Country,' emphasizing Indigenous heritage and environmental stewardship, with the final design still in development.

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Elizabeth II first appeared on the Australian $5 note in 1992. Her image will not be replaced by her son’s

Overview

  • The new $5 note will feature the theme 'Connection to Country,' honoring First Nations peoples' ties to the land, instead of a portrait of King Charles III.
  • This marks the first time an Australian banknote will not include a portrait of a person, with the reverse side continuing to depict Parliament House.
  • The Reserve Bank of Australia selected the theme after receiving over 2,100 public submissions and consulting with First Nations organizations.
  • The redesign aims to celebrate Indigenous culture while avoiding tokenistic or stereotypical elements, reflecting a hopeful future and the overturning of terra nullius.
  • Monarchists have criticized the decision as part of a republican agenda, while the Reserve Bank emphasizes inclusivity and national identity in the redesign process.