Hot on the heels of the release of the new New Zealand bank notes, Australia has revealed their new $5 note and boy, people do not like it.
The new design has been described as "atrocious", "disgusting" and like "clown puke".
(The current version of the $5 bill)
(New $5 bill from September 1)
The Reserve Bank of Australia says while the note will have a familiar feel -- its size and the image of Queen Elizabeth II remain the same -- the design has had a bit of spruce up with the Prickly Moses wattle and the Eastern Spinebill bird in a blue strip through the middle.
Each of the banknotes in the new series will depict a different species of Australian wattle and a native bird.
Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Glenn Stevens says the designs and new security features were developed in consultation with "subject-matter experts", the cash-handling industry and also focus groups.
But they might have had the wrong people in those groups, going by the reaction to the design so far.
It's been a long time coming, with the Reserve Bank announcing the new notes in 2012 as a measure to increase security, despite low levels of counterfeiting.
Earlier this year there was a petition to get high-profile Australian figure Fred Hollows -- who is actually a Kiwi -- on the $5 bill.
Dr Hollows helped treat eye diseases in indigenous communities in Australia as well as poor countries around the world.
Another notable petition has gathered almost 66,000 signatures to officially change the Australian currency to the 'Dollarydoo' as made famous by an episode of The Simpsons where they go Down Under.
"This will make millions of people around the world want to get their hands on some Australian currency due to the real life Simpsons reference, driving up the value of the Australian currency," the petition says.
The new bills will be in circulation from September 1 this year, with a major public awareness campaign already starting.
Earlier this week, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand unveiled the refreshed designs of the $20, $50 and $100 bills at Government House. The new $5 and $10 notes have been in circulation since October.
Newshub.
