Wild call on future of Aussie coins as Bob Katter claims he’s not been properly sworn in as an MP

A bold call for King Charles to be booted off Australian coins has been made by one of Australia’s longest-standing federal MPs.

King Charles has no place on our coins, independent MP Bob Katter says.

King Charles should be booted off Australia’s coins in favour of an Indigenous warrior or an army veteran, independent Bob Katter has suggested.

The maverick federal MP has designed his own idea for the future of Australia’s currency, favouring either Tubba Tre or Ralph Honner to adorn the legal tender.

“What Australian would even want a foreigner on their money?” Mr Katter asked on Monday.

“So surely you’d put Kokoda hero Ralph Honner on your coin, not some British monarch, demonstrating that you don’t believe that all people are born free and equal and that you don’t believe you’re a separate country, that you’re a nationalistic Australian.

“Or Kalkadoon warrior-leader Tubba Tre, holding a woomera and spear.”

Bob Katter has suggested a new design for Australia's coins.

It’s not the first time the Queensland MP has offered an alternative vision for Australia’s currency.

He’s previously joked that a portrait of himself fighting a crocodile would be more of an “improvement” for the coins than the current monarch.

The 78-year-old “father of the house” also said it was time for Australia to grow up and stop pledging allegiance to the English monarch.

Mr Katter claimed he had refused to swear allegiance to the Queen during his 50 years in politics (including state parliament), which, if true, would mean he was not properly sworn in as an MP.

A spokeswoman for the Speaker of the House of Representatives confirmed Mr Katter had properly sworn in as an MP despite the insistence.

“We can confirm that Mr Katter was sworn into Parliament in accordance with Section 42 of the Australian Constitution,” she said.

The first coin to bear the effigy of the King will be the $1 coin. It will start appearing at banks and in cash registers by Christmas.

More than 10 million $1 coins featuring the monarch will be distributed in the first round of circulation.

Mr Katter’s claim he has never been properly sworn in was quickly shut down.

He’ll start appearing on other denominations progressively in 2024 based on demand.

The efficacy was designed by the Royal Mint in London and given the royal stamp of approval. It will feature the King without his crown.

As is tradition, King Charles will appear on the coins facing left, the opposite direction of Queen Elizabeth II, who faced right.

All coins carrying the image of Queen Elizabeth will still be able to be used as legal tender.