A republic by stealth: why the King belongs on the $5 banknote
American SpectatorNov 29, 2022
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 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.
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.