‘Our design costs the taxpayer nothing’: Is this the $5 redesign Australia should get behind?

A recent decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia has sparked growing controversy, with taxpayers footing the bill for a significant redesign.

As tensions rise, questions are being raised about the cost, the rationale, and the ongoing debate surrounding the nation's banknotes.

What started as a change to honor Indigenous culture has now become the focus of widespread criticism, with some proposing a compromise that could appease both sides of the argument.


The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has been under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that more than $507,000 of taxpayer money had been spent on removing the Queen’s portrait from the $5 banknote.

In 2023, the RBA announced plans to replace Queen Elizabeth II’s image with a design intended to honour the connection between First Nations peoples and their Country.

This move was met with immediate backlash, and the Australian Monarchist League (AML) stepped in with a compromise design that aimed to satisfy both the Indigenous community and supporters of the monarchy.


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Taxpayer dollars spent on controversial $5 banknote redesign. Image source: Australian Monarchist League


Philip Benwell, AML Chairman, shared: ‘Our design costs the taxpayer nothing and manages to pay tribute to both First Nations people and the King.’

He added, ‘We’ve done the Reserve Bank’s job for them.’

The proposed redesign featured Uluru on the left, wattle and the rainbow serpent in the middle, and King Charles III on the right.

The new design quickly gained traction on social media, with many voicing their opinions on the controversial changes.


Heather McPherson commented: ‘I don’t particularly like Charles but he should be on our $5 note as our beloved Queen was.’

Allan Evans called for the RBA to keep the Queen’s image, stating: ‘Put the Monarch back on $5 note.’

The design proposal echoed a similar one from 1966, when Australia’s $1 banknote featured both Queen Elizabeth II and Indigenous Australians.

The RBA was contacted for comment but did not provide a response.


This ongoing debate has highlighted the divide between those supporting the monarchy and those advocating for a more inclusive representation on Australian currency.

In a previous story, we explored the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to update the $5 note with a fresh Indigenous design.

This move has sparked intense public discussion, especially among those who feel the monarchy should still be represented.

To read more about the RBA’s choice and how it has divided the nation, click here.

Key Takeaways
  • The Reserve Bank of Australia spent over $507,000 to redesign the $5 banknote, removing the Queen's portrait.
  • The redesign aimed to honour First Nations peoples, sparking backlash and debate.
  • The Australian Monarchist League proposed a compromise design featuring both Indigenous symbols and King Charles III.
  • The controversy continues, with many calling for either a return to the Queen’s image or a more inclusive design.

As the debate continues, it's clear that opinions on the redesign are deeply divided. Do you think King Charles III should appear on the $5 note, or is it time for something entirely different?

Share your thoughts in the comments.
 

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that dirty bastard has NO PLACE on our money or anywhere else. He's an adulterer, an idiot who was sent here many years ago because he was an embarrassment to the family and he accuses family members of things that are not proven in Court. HE makes me heartily sick
Nasty you don't know him personally you're only going by the media. Grow up
 
idiot, I never censored her freedom of speech, just told her to go some where else to spread crap.--Now that is my freedom of speech telling her to move on and get a life.
But if she doesn't like it , I am sure she doesn't need a 3rd party to do her talking for her.
Knew this would turn into one of those (fun) topics 🌷 I have not been disappointed.
 
The only thing I don't like is the art work I'm a artist and if painted stuff that doesn't look real it would be binned. Whoever passes the designs knows not a thing about design
 
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you can find anywhere to publish your hatred so why on the seniors page --this all about a $5.00 note design not about your loathing of the monarch-- GET A LIFE
So you’re saying we should only post our feelings, thoughts, and views as long as they’re not offensive to other seniors? We’re all different and I enjoy reading about different points of view.
 
idiot, I never censored her freedom of speech, just told her to go some where else to spread crap.--Now that is my freedom of speech telling her to move on and get a life.
But if she doesn't like it , I am sure she doesn't need a 3rd party to do her talking for her.
I have a life and I'll bet it's a damned sight better than yours.
 
idiot, I never censored her freedom of speech, just told her to go some where else to spread crap.--Now that is my freedom of speech telling her to move on and get a life.
But if she doesn't like it , I am sure she doesn't need a 3rd party to do her talking for her.
Anybody on SDC is free to express their views or opinions, same as anybody is free to respond to such views or opinions, in either a positive or negative fashion.

If you don't approve of someone's comment and respond in a disparaging fashion, be prepared to cop flak, especially from ME!
 
idiot, I never censored her freedom of speech, just told her to go some where else to spread crap.--Now that is my freedom of speech telling her to move on and get a life.
But if she doesn't like it , I am sure she doesn't need a 3rd party to do her talking for her.
Your response to @Veggiepatch (above) is offensive. Why don’t you “go somewhere else to spread crap.” You are a hypocrite.
 
HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH HER DEATH. GET YOUR BLOODY FACTS CORRECT. SHE WAS IN A CAR IN FRANCE, WITH ONE OF HER MANY MALE COMPANIONS. AS PUT ABOVE, YOU ARE NASTY.
that still has to be proven and the speed that he and Camilla Gorilla jumped into the public bed seems to show otherwise,
 
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leave your nasty thoughts to yourself. Do not blame him for Diana's death. she was busy whoring her way through an easy life. Be thankful we have Pommy land, or would you prefer China? I asked you before, are you squeaky clean? REMEMBER THE KING HAD ONE LOVE, DIANA HAD MANY ONE BEING A RUGBY CAPTAIN.
Bullshit..he was screwing the gorilla long before he married Diana and for your education I suggest you find a copy of the book '1442 CHINA discovered the world" .... and they discovered Australia over 250 years before the English and DIDN'T KILL THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS. This is one of 2 books about our discovery and they have artifacts to prove it.
 
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i think we should change it to represent Muslims,, because they will be running the country in the next 10 to 15 years;;;;
the old diggers would be absolutely discussed over the path Australia has taken;; A lot of good people died under our Australian flag,,, indigenist included;;;;; the clowns wont to now burn it......
lucky I'm old and wont see the Muslims over taking our beautiful Australia,,,
That has been their plan all along and it’s coming faster than we realise, you only have to look at other countries to see what’s happening, like you I hope 🤞 I will be long gone ,I worry for my grandkids and how the they will cope. My family fought for this country in 1st and 2nd world wars for. What to let useless politicians s**t on their graves. They are traitors to our country.
 
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Your response to @Veggiepatch (above) is offensive. Why don’t you “go somewhere else to spread crap.” You are a hypocrite.
I agree. Is he freelander or freeloader. Whichever he should got to the nearest 2nd hand bookshop and learn a few things from the history section. That bloke should learn you don't try to run down Veggiepatch, a highly intelligent, well learned man who usually doesn't talk crap.
 
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I like everyone else is fed up to the eyeballs with having Aboriginal crap like their art, the smoking ceremony which by the way is being miss used, and the so called welcome to country that, never existed before ex PM Elmer Fudd used the term when he forced his unwanted apology on behalf of all white Australians to the Black Australians. When Mr Fudd made his apology, I can't remember the exact words used at the time, but the very next day, Ernie Dingo made a comment in the media and called it welcome to country and BOOM, suddenly we have this never-before-used welcome to country ceremony being used at every Official Event and showing respect to Aboriginal Elders past and present around the country.
Aboriginal Senator Jacinta Price and her mother, who is a prominent Elder and was, in her time, an NT politician, have both stated categorically that there has never been any such thing as a welcome to country ceremony. There have also been several other prominent Elders who stated the same thing.
 
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