‘Some Aussies are calling for late national icon Steve Irwin to be impressed on the $5 note instead of King Charles III in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.’ Per Daily Mail.
The longest reigning monarch in British history breathed her last today at the Balmoral Castle. She was 96 years old and ruled over the country for 70 years.
On September 8, 2022, around 6 PM (GMT), the announcement was made from Buckingham Palace: “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.”
“The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”
A day after her passing, on September 9, it was announced by the Australian National Bank that her successor, King Charles III would be printed on the $5 note of the Australian dollar.
‘Her death after 70 years on the throne heralds a raft of changes that will come into place in Australia, including the introduction of bank notes and coins bearing the new king’s face.’ Quoted Daily Mail.
However, the Australians don’t want another British monarch to be featured on their currency. Instead, they want Steven Irwin’s face to be printed on their notes.
“Alright c, now old Betty has dropped off the perch time for the important s. Who are we gonna put on all our money? Because I can’t see that c** Charles on there. Maybe Steve Irwin or Russell Coight? Throw us some ideas,” a user wrote on Reddit.
“Steve Irwin deserves our highest form of currency,” said another.
‘Time to replace Queen Elizabeth’s face on cash with Steve Irwin or Heath Ledger, I reckon,’ a woman Tweeted.
Another said: ‘Can we get a petition to get Steve Irwin’s face on money in place of the queen going? It’s what we all want.’
Steve Irwin, known as the Crocodile Hunter, died in September 2006 after being struck in the chest by a stingray barb.
Reportedly, ‘Australians will be waiting a while for new $5 banknotes showing an image of King Charles III, with the central bank noting that there will be ‘no immediate change to Australian banknotes’.’
According to The Guardian, a spokesperson for the Reserve Bank of Australia stated, “All Australian banknotes issued from 1913 retain their legal tender status.”
“We will plan for an update to the $5 banknote design in due course. Creating the design for new banknotes is a complex process.”
“It can be several years [between] when a banknote is printed and when it is issued into circulation depending on demand from the public and the need to replace banknotes that have become worn in circulation.”
“The reigning monarch has traditionally appeared on the lowest denomination of Australian banknote,” the RBA representative said.
The spokesperson also said that the $5 banknotes featuring Queen Elizabeth II will also remain in circulation and will not be withdrawn.
‘The central bank, which manages the Australian currency and monetary policy, said there would be further updates on currency changes to come.’
‘A west-facing Charles III would continue a royal tradition, said to have started under Charles II from 1660, where the new monarch faces the opposite direction to their predecessor in their profile portrait on coins.’