Pitch to ditch the King from Aussie coins
Bob Katter is calling for a major overhaul of Australian coins, saying King Charles' image should be scrapped from the currency.
The federal MP touted an alternative design for the national coins, 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,” Katter said on Monday.
The Queensland MP 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,” Katter said.
“If you’ve got a monarch on your coin, you do not believe that all people are free and equal.”
Katter's pitch comes just weeks after the Royal Australian Mint last month unveiled the effigy of King Charles III, which will be seen on Australian coins by Christmas.
For decades, the country’s coins have carried an image of Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022.
The Royal Mint also recently announced the production of a commemorative coin in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth, which is already in high demand among royal fans and avid coin collectors.
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