Australia: The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced that the country’s new $5 banknote will feature a new design that honours “the culture and history of the First Australians” instead of Britain’s King Charles III.

According to RBA, the decision to replace the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the new design was made after consulting with the Australian government.

Australia’s opposition leader, Mr. Peter Dutton, criticised the government’s decision by stating that “the Prime Minister, Mr. Anthony Albanese, would “have been central” to not placing King Charles on the note and should “own” the decision.”

“I think it’s another attack on our systems, on our society, and on our institutions,” Mr. Dutton added.

The Australian Greens party senator and Gunnai, Gunditjmara, and Djab Wurrung woman, Ms. Lydia Thorpe, referred to the change as a “massive win for the grassroots, First Nations people who have been fighting to decolonize this country.”

According to the Australian treasurer, Mr. Jim Chalmers, the change to the $5 note was the right decision.

“This is a good opportunity to strike a good balance between the monarch on the coins and a First Nations design on the fiver,” Mr. Chalmers remarked.

First Australians refers to the country’s Indigenous population, or First Nations people, made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, descendants of the world’s oldest continuous culture, who have occupied the continent for more than 65,000 years. Together, they make up about 3.2 percent of the country’s population of 25 million people.

WORLD ROUNDUP: Russia planning major offensive to mark February 24; Ukrainian Minister