Dutton,in an interview with 2GB’s Ray Hadley,said Leigh’s view was “not based in fact” and accused him of departing from a convention whereby the reigning monarch has traditionally appeared on the lowest denomination of Australian banknote.
“It’s trying to take advantage of the circumstances that we’re in at the moment. I’d be surprised if the prime minister supported Andrew Leigh,” Dutton said.
“I’d be disappointed if he did because if we’re a republic at some stage,then that’s a decision for the Australian people to make,but we’re with our current arrangements at the moment and we should honour those arrangements and that includes in relation to the $5 note.
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“There’s a protocol that’s in place and again,I don’t understand why he would feel a need to come out at the moment and to make,what is a unilateral decision – something that he’s decided by himself without consultation.”
Coins bearing the image of King Charleswill start entering circulation next year,but Leigh’s remarks have spurred a debate about whether someone other than the monarch should be on the $5 note.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been reluctant to discuss the potential redesign of the banknote,saying instead that he was focused on the Queen’s funeral.