The late Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait will be removed from Australia’s $5 note and replaced with an Indigenous design – in a move that has sparked scorn from the Opposition Leader.

The Reserve Bank has decided to update the note to feature a new design that “honours the culture and history of the First Australians”.

“This new design will replace the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” the bank said in a statement on Thursday.

“The other side of the $5 banknote will continue to feature the Australian parliament.”

It said the decision followed consultation with the government, which supported the change.

On Sydney radio on Thursday, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to “own” the change – and compared it to division over issues such as Australia Day and the national anthem.

“There’s no question about this that it’s directed by the government and I think the Prime Minister should own up to it,” he told 2GB.

“I think it’s another attack on our systems, on our society and our institutions.

“I just think you’ve got to stand up and a lot more Australians have to be heard. I know the silent majority don’t agree with a lot of the woke nonsense that goes on – but we’ve got to hear more from those people online, and business leaders have to speak up against it as well.”

The RBA hinted at a looming change shortly after the Queen’s death in September.

At the time, its website said the reigning monarch has traditionally featured on the lowest denomination of Australian banknote – although there is no requirement for their inclusion.

The late Queen once graced the now-discontinued $1 paper note, and had long featured on the $5 banknote.

The Reserve Bank said it would consult with Indigenous groups on a design for the new $5 banknote. It expected it would take several year for the new note to be designed and printed.

The current $5 banknote will continue to be issued until the new design is introduced. The current note will remain legal tender even after that time.

Hundreds of millions of $5 banknotes and 15 billion decimal coins featuring the late monarch remain in circulation across Australia.

“The $5 banknotes featuring the image of Her Majesty The Queen can continue to be used. They will not be withdrawn and are likely to remain in circulation for years to come,” the RBA said last September.

Rejuvenated five-cent, 10-cent, 20-cent, 50-cent, $1 and $2-coins – featuring an image of the King’s head – are expected to go into circulation sometime this year.

Britain has already revealed its new coins with the King’s image. They are expected to be in circulation soon.

– with AAP

The post King snubbed as $5 note goes Indigenous appeared first on The New Daily.