Small change: Katter wants King’s head removed from coins, replaced with indigenous figure
Federal MP Bob Katter wants the King’s effigy to be scrapped from the country’s coins in favour of significant Australians.
Katter’s Australian Party Member for Kennedy Bob Katter speaks to journalists at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Monday, November 27, 2023. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)
The Katter’s Australian Party leader on Monday touted an alternative design for the national currency, suggesting it could feature a Kalkadoon warrior or distinguished Australian soldier Ralph Honner.
“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,” Mr Katter said.
He plans to move an amendment to the Crown References Amendment Bill to omit references to the monarchy and substitute the words “sovereign people of Australia”.
“For heaven’s sake, get rid of the affirmation that we believe that all people are free and equal,” Mr Katter said.
“If you’ve got a monarch on your coin, you do not believe that all people are free and equal.”
The Royal Australian Mint last month unveiled the effigy of King Charles III, which will be seen on Australian coins by Christmas.
The country’s coins carry an image of Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022.
The first coin to bear the King’s effigy will be the dollar, with other denominations to be rolled out progressively in 2024, based on demand from banks.
