Whose face should be on Australia's new $5 note?

As we all know, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away, leaving the throne to her son, Prince Charles.

In light of this, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced they are 'consulting' with the Federal Government over who should appear on the new $5 banknote.


Screen Shot 2022-11-03 at 1.04.21 PM.png
Australians are debating whether King Charles III should be on the new $5 note. Credit: 7News.



Traditionally, the face on the Australian $5 note is the reigning monarch.

King George V was the first monarch to appear on the country's currency when his side profile was printed on the half sovereign (10 shillings) note in 1923. There will soon be new coins featuring King Charles III, but the fate of the notes is uncertain.



In the wake of Her Majesty's passing, however, there have been requests for other well-respected Australians to be considered.

Some of these names include former olympian Cathy Freeman, indigenous actor David Gulpili, ‘show biz’ personalities Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John, and even conservationist Steve Irwin.


Screen Shot 2022-11-03 at 1.04.15 PM.png
Here are some ideas for how the new fiver could look without the face of a monarch. Credit: 7News.



Speaking at the RBA board's dinner on November 2, Governor of RBA Phillip Lowe said: 'We recognise that this is an issue that is of national interest, and there is a long tradition of the monarch being on Australia's banknotes.'

'Given this tradition and the national significance of the issue, the Bank is consulting with the Australian Government regarding whether or not the new $5 banknote should include a portrait of King Charles III,' he went on to add.

'We will make a decision after this consultation with the government is complete.'
Key Takeaways

  • The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is considering whether or not to put King Charles III on the new $5 banknote following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
  • RBA Governor Phillip Lowe said the bank is consulting with the Australian Government about the issue.
  • In the wake of Her Majesty's passing, there have been requests for other well-respected Australians to be considered as the new face of the banknote.


It's likely that the argument about whether Australia should stay a monarchy or become a republic, which began almost immediately after the death of the Queen, has influenced the RBA's willingness to explore breaking away from longstanding traditions.

Despite the controversy, though, a recent Roy Morgan survey revealed that support for the monarchy has increased over the past ten years.

What are your thoughts, members? King Charles III may be on the throne, but do you think he should be on the fiver as well? If not, whose face do you believe is the best option to replace the Queen's? Or, if possible, do you think they should just keep the look as it is now? Let’s talk more about it in the comments!

And while we're still on the topic of Australia's $5 banknote, take a look at the video below to see why it's considered one of the bests in the world:


Credit: The Science of Everything.
 
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Put the face of the Australian of the Year on it so there is a wider circulation of the recipient. New note each year and definitely an Aussie.
 
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The face should be that of a First Nation identity. The other bank notes have historical figures (of Euroean descent) and it is time to recognise and respect the original inhabitants of this country. For goodness sake, no media celebrities - that is just crass publicity for that person.
 
As we all know, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away, leaving the throne to her son, Prince Charles.

In light of this, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced they are 'consulting' with the Federal Government over who should appear on the new $5 banknote.


View attachment 8337
Australians are debating whether King Charles III should be on the new $5 note. Credit: 7News.



Traditionally, the face on the Australian $5 note is the reigning monarch.

King George V was the first monarch to appear on the country's currency when his side profile was printed on the half sovereign (10 shillings) note in 1923. There will soon be new coins featuring King Charles III, but the fate of the notes is uncertain.



In the wake of Her Majesty's passing, however, there have been requests for other well-respected Australians to be considered.

Some of these names include former olympian Cathy Freeman, indigenous actor David Gulpili, ‘show biz’ personalities Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John, and even conservationist Steve Irwin.


View attachment 8338
Here are some ideas for how the new fiver could look without the face of a monarch. Credit: 7News.



Speaking at the RBA board's dinner on November 2, Governor of RBA Phillip Lowe said: 'We recognise that this is an issue that is of national interest, and there is a long tradition of the monarch being on Australia's banknotes.'

'Given this tradition and the national significance of the issue, the Bank is consulting with the Australian Government regarding whether or not the new $5 banknote should include a portrait of King Charles III,' he went on to add.

'We will make a decision after this consultation with the government is complete.'
Key Takeaways

  • The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is considering whether or not to put King Charles III on the new $5 banknote following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
  • RBA Governor Phillip Lowe said the bank is consulting with the Australian Government about the issue.
  • In the wake of Her Majesty's passing, there have been requests for other well-respected Australians to be considered as the new face of the banknote.


It's likely that the argument about whether Australia should stay a monarchy or become a republic, which began almost immediately after the death of the Queen, has influenced the RBA's willingness to explore breaking away from longstanding traditions.

Despite the controversy, though, a recent Roy Morgan survey revealed that support for the monarchy has increased over the past ten years.

What are your thoughts, members? King Charles III may be on the throne, but do you think he should be on the fiver as well? If not, whose face do you believe is the best option to replace the Queen's? Or, if possible, do you think they should just keep the look as it is now? Let’s talk more about it in the comments!

And while we're still on the topic of Australia's $5 banknote, take a look at the video below to see why it's considered one of the bests in the world:


Credit: The Science of Everything.

I don’t think a so called celebrity deserves the right to be featured. It’s too short term. Is the note going to be changed continuously. It’s costly and a joke. If it’s not Charles the then Put coat of arms or something else more permanent and constant
 
As Australia's official currency, I dont agree with using popular people. The image should be either be a person who had a significant role in Australia's history, but that could be contentious. Or, better still, lets just use an image that the entire world associates with this country, and will continue to be recognizable even into the next century. my suggestions include the Sydney Opera House; Ayer's Rock/Uluru; the Koala; or Australian Bird on a Native Plant.
 
As Australia's official currency, I dont agree with using popular people. The image should be either be a person who had a significant role in Australia's history, but that could be contentious. Or, better still, lets just use an image that the entire world associates with this country, and will continue to be recognizable even into the next century. my suggestions include the Sydney Opera House; Ayer's Rock/Uluru; the Koala; or Australian Bird on a Native Plant.
I agree with Natalka please not celebs ! An image that signifies Australia would be my vote.
 
Currently Australia is one of very few countries in the world to have a female on every one of our bank note values. I would like to see this continue. (Sweden may match us in this regard.)
 
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As Australia's official currency, I dont agree with using popular people. The image should be either be a person who had a significant role in Australia's history, but that could be contentious. Or, better still, lets just use an image that the entire world associates with this country, and will continue to be recognizable even into the next century. my suggestions include the Sydney Opera House; Ayer's Rock/Uluru; the Koala; or Australian Bird on a Native Plant.
I agree with this idea. Using land marks or flora, fauna makes more sense to me. you have a greater chance that people will actually identify these things more than people, pasts or present.
 
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As we all know, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away, leaving the throne to her son, Prince Charles.

In light of this, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced they are 'consulting' with the Federal Government over who should appear on the new $5 banknote.


View attachment 8337
Australians are debating whether King Charles III should be on the new $5 note. Credit: 7News.



Traditionally, the face on the Australian $5 note is the reigning monarch.

King George V was the first monarch to appear on the country's currency when his side profile was printed on the half sovereign (10 shillings) note in 1923. There will soon be new coins featuring King Charles III, but the fate of the notes is uncertain.



In the wake of Her Majesty's passing, however, there have been requests for other well-respected Australians to be considered.

Some of these names include former olympian Cathy Freeman, indigenous actor David Gulpili, ‘show biz’ personalities Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John, and even conservationist Steve Irwin.


View attachment 8338
Here are some ideas for how the new fiver could look without the face of a monarch. Credit: 7News.



Speaking at the RBA board's dinner on November 2, Governor of RBA Phillip Lowe said: 'We recognise that this is an issue that is of national interest, and there is a long tradition of the monarch being on Australia's banknotes.'

'Given this tradition and the national significance of the issue, the Bank is consulting with the Australian Government regarding whether or not the new $5 banknote should include a portrait of King Charles III,' he went on to add.

'We will make a decision after this consultation with the government is complete.'
Key Takeaways

  • The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is considering whether or not to put King Charles III on the new $5 banknote following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
  • RBA Governor Phillip Lowe said the bank is consulting with the Australian Government about the issue.
  • In the wake of Her Majesty's passing, there have been requests for other well-respected Australians to be considered as the new face of the banknote.


It's likely that the argument about whether Australia should stay a monarchy or become a republic, which began almost immediately after the death of the Queen, has influenced the RBA's willingness to explore breaking away from longstanding traditions.

Despite the controversy, though, a recent Roy Morgan survey revealed that support for the monarchy has increased over the past ten years.

What are your thoughts, members? King Charles III may be on the throne, but do you think he should be on the fiver as well? If not, whose face do you believe is the best option to replace the Queen's? Or, if possible, do you think they should just keep the look as it is now? Let’s talk more about it in the comments!

And while we're still on the topic of Australia's $5 banknote, take a look at the video below to see why it's considered one of the bests in the world:


Credit: The Science of Everything.
 
I favour putting David Gulpilil on the new $5 note.
-- Chris Noonan
They better get the right permission first before putting a first nation person on a bank note. Years ago they didn't get the right permission for putting the image of an aboriginal boy on a $10 and got caught out.
 
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