Australian Republic Movement to push to remove monarch from Australian currency

A campaign will soon be launched to remove one major detail from Aussie currency in the wake of Queen Elizabeth’s death.

The monarch could soon be removed from Australian currency, with a new campaign set to launch within days.

The Australian Republic Movement, fronted by former Wallaby and media personality Peter FitzSimons, has long pushed for the nation to remove the monarch as its head of state.

But according to The Australian, the ARM will also soon begin campaigning for the removal of the monarch from our money in the wake of Queen Elizabeth’s death at the age of 96 late last week.

Citing sources close to the ARM, the publication revealed it would push for Queen Elizabeth’s image to be removed from the $5 note, and will also request the government refrain from using King Charles III’s image on coins from 2023.

However, the organisation has temporarily paused campaigning until the end of next week as a mark of respect for the late Queen after her 70-year reign.

According to the sources, the currency change would be the “first point of order” for the ARM once campaigning restarts, with one group member telling The Australian it was “ridiculous” to automatically have the King’s image on our coins.

The Queen has been the only monarch to feature on Australia’s decimal currency, which was introduced in 1966, and since 1995, the $5 note bank note has also been marked with her portrait at the age of 58.

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Queen Elizabeth’s image on the Australian $5 note. Picture: AAP Image/Paul Miller

Following her death, the Reserve Bank confirmed there would be “no immediate change” to the Australian banknotes.

“They will not be withdrawn and are likely to remain in circulation for years to come,” a spokesperson said.

That stance was echoed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this week, who insisted there would be no change to our $5 notes for some time.

“I think this is a time where a bit of respect is required. We will deal with these issues appropriately, in an orderly way, in a way that is respectful,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“I have not turned my attention towards that matter.”

The questioning came after assistant Treasurer Andrew Leigh said it wasn’t a certainty that Charles would replace his mum on the notes.

“As I understand it, the decision to include the Queen’s face on the $5 note was about her personally rather than about the status of the monarch, so that transition isn’t automatic,” he told reporters.

Australian Republican Movement chair Peter FitzSimons. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Australian.

“We’ll have a sensible conversation within government to make an appropriate announcement in due course.”

Meanwhile, Mr Albanese has confirmed his government will not hold a referendum on the issue of Australia becoming a republic during his first term, after the debate was reignited after the Queen’s death in Balmoral.

King Charles III was officially proclaimed Australia’s head of state during a ceremony outside Parliament House in Canberra on Sunday, but Mr Albanese – a vocal republican – said it would not be appropriate to pursue the matter now.

“Now is the time for us to pay tribute to the life of Queen Elizabeth II, to give thanks for her service to Australia, to the Commonwealth, and to the world. And that is the focus that I have,” he said.

Australia held a referendum on becoming a republic in November 1999, which was defeated.

But while the ARM paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth immediately after her death, it argued it was the right time for Australia to take the next step towards full independence.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out holding a referendum on the republic until his second term. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“The Queen backed the right of Australians to become a fully independent nation during the referendum on an Australian republic in 1999, saying that she has ‘always made it clear that the future of the Monarchy in Australia is an issue for the Australian people and them alone to decide, by democratic and constitutional means’,” the statement reads.

Mr FitzSimons also expressed his sympathies.

“During her reign, Australia has grown into a mature and independent nation. It is unlikely we will ever see a Monarch as respected or admired by the Australian people again,” he said.

News.com.au has contacted the ARM for comment.