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What does Queen Elizabeth's death mean for Australians?

What does Queen Elizabeth's death mean for Australians?

Will we get a public holiday to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II? What about her face on currency? What about our passports?

The Queen’s death sent shockwaves across the UK, the world, and left the people Down Under reeling.

With the death of the only monarch most Australians have ever known, the question has to begged: what does this mean for the island nation all the way on the other side of the world?

Aussie politicians and activists have already revitalised the push for Australia to become a republic once King Charles III takes the helm.

Many of those pushing for a republic copped an absolute flaying for even mentioning it might be a good time to secede from the Commonwealth.

Greens leader Adam Bandt received a particularly brutal take down on social media after floating the idea with his tribute to the Queen.

But, in the wake of the Queen's death at her Balmoral estate in Scotland, many Aussies have been left asking questions about passports, currency, and if a public holiday is on the way to mark a day of remembrance for Queen Elizabeth II.

Jasmine Leung/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/Alamy

According to the The Weekend Australian, there may be grounds for a public holiday marking the death of the British monarch, but Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is yet to confirm.

There will be a national day of mourning, but that date will be decided sometime after Anthony Albanese and David Hurley return from the UK to meet with freshly-minted King Charles III and for the Queen's funeral.

The Prime Minister told the ABC that federal parliament will be suspended for 15-days 'out of respect' for the Queen but that the business of government will continue to function.

Currency will also change, as the Australian coins and notes will need to now feature the profile of King Charles III instead of his mum's. 

 

The currency will look similar to this mock up.
Robert Elderton

According to The Guardian, Australians can expect to see King Charles ||| on their notes and coins as of 2023.

In terms of what happens with our current money, coins and notes with the queen's likeness remains legal tender.

"The Treasury and Mint have been working together on plans for a change in effigy – Charles the III’s face for the last few months, for new coins," reporter Amy Remekis said, as per The Guardian.

"It’ll take a little while and coins with the Queen’s face will continue to be minted in the meantime."

So don't throw your money away, folks. It's all going to be just fine.

According to a spokesperson for the Reserve Bank of Australia, as per news.com.au: "All Australian banknotes issued from 1913 retain their legal tender status."

For that matter, everything official that mentions the Queen will remain valid for now. According to The Conversation, this means passports.

"The system of change from one monarch to the next is legally seamless, leaving it a matter for the people how they decide to mark the change in a ceremonial and symbolic manner," wrote The Conversation's Misha Ketchell.

Featured Image Credit: Everett Collection Inc/Alamy. Kiyoshi Takahase Segundo / Alamy.

Topics: Australia, News, Prince Charles, Royal Family, The Queen, Money, Politics