China News Service, Beijing, February 2 (Canberra News): According to the Associated Press, Australia's central bank said on the 2nd that the country's new version of the 5 Australian dollar banknote will use Aboriginal designs instead of the image of King Charles III of England.
The Reserve Bank of Australia said the new $5 note will replace the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, who dies in 2022.
The bank said the decision was made after consultation with the government, which supported the change, which pays homage to "the culture and history of the first Australians".
Currently, the $5 note is the only remaining banknote in Australia to feature the Queen's portrait.
The British monarch remains Australia's head of state, but like many former British colonies, Australia is debating the extent to which it should maintain ties to Britain.
The British "Guardian" quoted a poll conducted by the "Sydney Morning Herald" in October 2022 as reporting that 43% of people prefer to have Australians on the $5 banknote, and 34% said Charles III was their choice.
According to the Associated Press, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on the 2nd that this change is an opportunity to achieve a good balance.
"There will still be an image of the British monarch on the coin, but the $5 note will say more about our history, our heritage and our country, and I think that's a good thing."
The RBA plans to consult Aboriginal people when designing the note, a process expected to take years, the report said.
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