Peter FitzSimons calls on Australia to make another huge change after it was announced the Royal Family will be DISAPPEARING from currency

High-profile republican Peter FitzSimons has welcomed the Reserve Bank’s decision to update the $5 note with a design that celebrates Indigenous culture – rather than an image of King Charles – but said Australia now needs to go a step further. 

The new design will replace the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II which has long adorned Australia’s $5 banknote.

The other side of the note will continue to feature the Australian Parliament.

Mr FitzSimons hit out at Liberal leader Peter Dutton, who had slammed the move. 

‘Peter Dutton says removing Charles from $5 note is “woke nonsense”. I respectfully disagree,’ Mr FitzSimons posted on Twitter.

‘It is a nation more confident of itself, acknowledging the absurdity of having an English “King” in the first place.’

He also called on Australia to go further by removing all portraits of King Charles.

‘In what places across Australia is the official portrait of “King Charles” up, and how soon can they be taken down?’ he wrote.

The surprise decision not to replace the late Queen with King Charles III followed a consultation with the federal government, which supported the change.

‘I think this is the right decision,’ treasurer Jim Chalmers told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday. 

The Reserve Bank board will now consult with First Australians in designing the new $5 banknote. 

The new banknote will take a number of years to be designed and printed.

The current $5 banknote will continue to be issued and will still be able to be used even after the new banknote is introduced.

The treasurer warned it will be a ‘fair while yet’ before the new notes are issued. 

 ‘There’s plenty of time to consider and consult on the design that best honours First Australians,’ Dr Chalmers said.

The updated $5 banknote will stray from tradition and omit King Charles and instead feature a new design that honours the culture and history of Indigenous Australians (pictured, current $5 note)

Following the Queen’s death in September, Fitzsimon’s wasted no time in calling for Australia to become a republic.

‘Just as King Charles III has not delayed for a moment in resuming his duties, we submit that Australia should not delay the discussion about its future under the monarchy any longer. It’s time.’

FitzSimons said the country should no longer delay talks about moving away from the monarchy. 

‘Rule by birthright, a literally born-to-rule English sovereign, has no place in a democratic, egalitarian Australia,’ he said on Friday.

‘The notion is as foreign to Australian values as the monarchy itself. Nor should anyone be forced to pledge allegiance to a foreign king or head of state.’