Australians want Steve Irwin's face on their money instead of King Charles III

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By Asiya Ali

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Australians are calling for the late national icon Steve Irwin to be commemorated on the nation's $5 note instead of King Charles III.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, September 8, a wave of mourning has swept across the UK and Commonwealth nations, as people are paying tribute to Britain's longest-serving monarch.

At age 96, the late queen spent seven decades as the Head of State of many other nations, and her death will lead to changes taking place in countries like Australia.

With the ascension of her eldest son, banknotes and coins will eventually be introduced with the face of the new monach, King Charles III.

However, some Aussies have suggested another option: the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin

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Credit: Photo 12 / Alamy

Taking to Twitter, one social media user wrote: "Can we get a petition to get Steve Irwin's face on money in place of the queen going? It's what we all want."

Another person tweeted that either the conservationist or the late Hollywood star Heath Ledger should be on the banknotes, writing: "Time to replace Queen Elizabeth’s face on cash with Steve Irwin or Heath Ledger I reckon."

One other person edited different possible stars to feature on the money such as the country's highest-selling musician Kylie Minogue.

One person agreed, replying: "Steve Irwin deserves our highest form of currency. The $5 note will explode in value if we put him on that note."

However, Australians will be waiting a while for new $5 banknotes showing an image of King Charles III, as the central bank announced that there will be "no immediate change to Australian banknotes".

Although, according to the RFI Group, the Reserve Bank of Australia has confirmed that citizens can expect the new monarch to feature on a new $5 note. "The reigning monarch has traditionally appeared on the lowest denomination of Australian banknote," it said in a statement.

Also, it has been reported that the current $5 banknotes featuring Queen Elizabeth II will not be withdrawn and the central bank has informed citizens that there would be further updates on currency changes.

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Australian notes. Credit: blickwinkel / Alamy

In the future, the Australian coins will most likely bear the head of King Charles III facing the opposite way to his late mother's to represent the new and old era of the British monarch.

Australia won't be the only nation in the Commonwealth facing the possibility of introducing new designs on its coins and notes as the late Queen has been memorialized on the currency of more than 30 countries, as well as the United Kingdom.

The Metro reports that we can expect a new portrait of King Charles III to be commissioned, and currency depicting the late queen will eventually be phased out.

Along with the money, other changes to everyday life will include transformations to passports, stamps, and the national anthem - - which is now 'God Save The King' for the first time in seven decades.

Featured image credit: Melissa Jooste / Alamy