The Australian Republic Movement has welcomed the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to recognise and celebrate Australians on the $5 note instead of a foreign monarch.
Today the Reserve Bank said it was time for a “new design that honours the culture and history of First Australians.”
Chair of the Australian Republic Movement Craig Foster said the change was an important symbolic step, especially given First Nations Australians had been here more than 65,000 years before British settlement and the now accepted incongruence between the monarchy and contemporary Australia.
“Australia believes in meritocracy so the idea that someone should be on our currency by birthright is irreconcilable as is the notion that they should be our head of state by birthright” Mr Foster said.
“To think that an unelected king should be on our currency in place of First Nations leaders and elders and eminent Australians is no longer justifiable at a time of truth telling, reconciliation and ultimately formal, cultural and intellectual independence.
“National symbols are important. They communicate to us, and the world, what we value, if and how we appreciate our own achievements and manifest a visible part of our national identity.
“Our contemporary identity is one starting to walk in truth with First Nations and confidently alone, in our multicultural demography.
“This decision by the RBA is a natural consequence of recognising the important place of First Nations Australians in our national story.
“Australians deserve to see themselves, and only themselves reflected in our Constitution, our system of government and all national symbols including our currency.
“We are constructing new stories, new understandings, new heroes and heroines, and a truthful and proud identity based on 65,235 years of shared cultural existence.
“This is another step on that inspiring journey” Mr Foster said.
