EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Issued by authority of the Assistant Treasurer

Currency Act 1965

Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2020 Royal Australian Mint No. 6) Determination 2020

Subsection 13(2) and section 13A of the Currency Act 1965 (the Act) provide that the Treasurer may, by legislative instrument, determine details of Australian coin characteristics including denomination, standard composition, standard weight, allowable variation from standard weight, design and dimensions.

The purpose of this legislative instrument is to determine the characteristics of 11 new non-circulating coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint.

The Treasurer may authorise the making and issuing of coins specified, or taken to be specified, in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965.  A payment of money is a legal tender if it is made in coins that are made and issued under the Currency Act 1965.  Through the issue of a currency determination, the Treasurer can add, remove and alter the coin characteristics specified, or taken to be specified, in the Schedule to the Currency Act 1965.

In accordance with section 19 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, any Minister in the Treasury portfolio may, by legislative instrument, determine details of Australian coin characteristics.

Details of the legislative instrument are set out in the Attachment.

The legislative instrument commenced on the day after it was registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

The legislative instrument is subject to disallowance under section 42 of the Legislation Act 2003.

Consultation

No public consultation was undertaken in relation to this legislative instrument. The effect of this instrument is to determine details of new Australian coin characteristics which will enable the Royal Australian Mint to continue its production of circulating and numismatic coins.

Members of the public have the opportunity to contact the Royal Australian Mint to present any themes they would like to see commemorated on Australian legal tender. These concepts are then researched and assessed in accordance with the Royal Australian Mint’s Coin Design Policy. The Royal Australian Mint also uses market based tools to identify interested parties and gauge interest in coin themes.

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2020 Royal Australian Mint No. 6) Determination 2020

This Legislative Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Overview of the Legislative Instrument

The purpose of this legislative instrument is to determine the characteristics of 11 new non‑circulating coins proposed to be issued by the Royal Australian Mint.

Human rights implications

This Legislative Instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

Conclusion

This Legislative Instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

ATTACHMENT

Details of the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2020 Royal Australian Mint No. 6) Determination 2020

This Attachment sets out further details of the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2020 Royal Australian Mint No. 6) Determination 2020 (the Determination).

Section 1 – Name

This section provides that the name of the Determination is the Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2020 Royal Australian Mint No. 6) Determination 2020.

Section 2 – Commencement

This section prescribes that the Determination commences the day after the Determination is registered.

Section 3 – Authority

This section provides that the Determination is made under the Currency Act 1965.

Section 4 – Schedule

This section provides that each instrument specified in a Schedule to the Determination is amended or repealed as set out in the Schedule.

Schedule 1 – Amendments

Schedule 1 amends the Currency (Australian Coins) Determination 2019 by adding the details of new coin characteristics and making technical amendments to ensure the Determination operates as intended. The newly determined coin characteristics are set out below.

New non-circulating coins

2021 50c Uncirculated Coin - Centenary of Royal Australian Air Force – Commemorative

A design consisting of a stylised representation of a wedge-tailed eagle in flight and representations of the following three figures: a female pilot in a flight suit and helmet (from the period 1990 to 1999), a male figure in a helicopter crewmember’s uniform with a helmet (from the period 1970 to 1979), and a male pilot in a flight suit (from the period 1920 to 1929). The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”; “1921”; “2021”; and “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CENTENARY” (on a ribbon banner).

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.

2021 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - Centenary of Royal Australian Air Force – S.E.5A

A design consisting of, at the top of the coin, a representation of a S.E.5a biplane in flight, viewed from the front, partially obscured by a panel comprising four vertical stripes of light blue, blue, white and red. In the centre of the coin is a representation of a S.E.5a biplane in flight viewed from the side and, in the background, stylised clouds. At the bottom of the coin, partially obscured by a border, is the Royal Air Force roundel, against a background of light blue. The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”; “ROYAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY”; “1917 – 1928”; “S.E.5A”; and “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CENTENARY”.

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.

2021 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - Centenary of Royal Australian Air Force – Lancaster

A design consisting of, in the upper portion of the coin, a representation of an Avro Lancaster heavy bomber, viewed from the side and in the background, stylised clouds, next to a panel of five vertical coloured stripes of black, red, white, navy. In centre of the coin is a representation of another Avro Lancaster heavy bomber in flight, viewed from above, partially obscuring stylised representations of fields in the background. At the bottom of the coin, partially obscured by a surrounding border, is a coloured panel comprising a roundel with a red dot and rings of white, navy blue and yellow against a black background. The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”; “AVRO”; “1940-1945”; “LANCASTER”; and “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CENTENARY”.

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.

2021 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - Centenary of Royal Australian Air Force – P-40 Kittyhawk

A design consisting of, at the top of the coin, a representation of a Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk fighter aircraft in flight viewed from the front and, in the background, stylised representations of clouds, next to a panel comprising four vertical coloured stripes of khaki, navy blue, white and khaki. In the centre of the coin are representations of three Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk fighter aircraft in flight, viewed from above, partially obscuring representations of pacific islands and water. At the bottom of the coin is a coloured panel, partially obscured by a surrounding border, comprising a white spot, white lines and a blue ring against a khaki background. The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”; “CURTISS”; “1941 – 1948”; “P-40 KITTYHAWK”; and “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CENTENARY”. 

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.

2021 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - Centenary of Royal Australian Air Force ‑ Catalina

A design consisting of, at the top of the coin, a representation of a Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat (a fixed-wing seaplane with a hull) in flight viewed from the side, in the background, a stylised representation of a coastal landscape and clouds, next to a panel comprising four vertical coloured stripes of navy, white, blue and navy. In the centre of the coin is a representation of another Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat in flight, viewed from above and, in the background, a stylised representation of water. At the bottom of the coin, a coloured panel, partially obscured by surrounding borders, comprising a white spot, white lines and a blue ring, against a navy background. The design includes the following inscriptions:  “50”; “CONSOLIDATED”; “1941 – 1952”; “CATALINA”; and “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CENTENARY”.

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.

2021 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - Centenary of Royal Australian Air Force – C-130 Hercules

A design consisting of, at the top of the coin, a representation of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft in flight and representations of 12 paratroopers and airdrops in midair, next to a coloured panel comprising a green and brown camouflage pattern. In the centre of the coin is a representation of another Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft in flight, viewed from above, and representations of 8 paratroopers and airdrops in midair. At the bottom of the coin is a coloured panel comprising a green and brown camouflage pattern and, partially obscured by the surrounding border, a representation of a Royal Australian Air Force roundel (in green). The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”; “LOCHKEED”; “1958 – 2021”; “C‑130 HERCULES”; and “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CENTENARY”.

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.

2021 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - Centenary of Royal Australian Air Force – Iroquois
 

A design consisting of, at the top of the coin, a representation of a Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter (also known as a “Huey”) on the ground and viewed from the front. Next to the helicopter are representations of 2 soldiers, and, in the background, a stylised representation of a forest, next to a coloured panel comprising four vertical stripes of a camouflage green and brown pattern, red, white, and blue. In the centre of the coin is a representation of another Huey viewed from the side, representations of 2 soldiers carrying another injured soldier on a stretcher and, in the background, a stylised representation of a forest. At the bottom of the coin is a coloured panel comprising a green and brown camouflage pattern and, partially obscured by the surrounding borders, “377” in Arabic numerals, representing the number of a serving helicopter from the Vietnam War. The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”; “BELL”; “1962 – 1989”; “IROQUOIS”; and “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CENTENARY”.

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.

2021 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - Centenary of Royal Australian Air Force – P3 Orion

A design consisting of, at the top of the coin, a representation of a Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft in flight viewed from above against a background of concentric rings, next to a panel comprising five vertical coloured stripes of grey, navy, white, red and grey. In the centre of the coin is a representation of another Lockheed P-3 Orion aircraft in flight viewed from the front, against a background of concentric rings. At the bottom of the coin is a coloured panel comprising irregular red, white, light grey, grey and dark grey lines, and a grey oval shaped dot. The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”; “LOCKHEED”; “1968 – 2021”; “P-3 ORION”; and “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CENTENARY”.

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.

2021 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - Centenary of Royal Australian Air Force – P3 F-111

A design consisting of, at the bottom of the coin, representations of 2 General Dynamics F‑111 C aircraft in flight, viewed from the front and in the background, a stylised representation of a cloud, next to a panel comprising a black and white stylised lightning bolt. In the centre of the coin are representations of 2 General Dynamics F-111 C aircraft in flight, viewed from the side and, in the background, stylised clouds. At the bottom of the coin, a panel comprising black and red horizontal stripes. The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”; “GENERAL DYNAMICS”; “1973 – 2010”; “F-111”; and “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CENTENARY”.

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.

2021 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - Centenary of Royal Australian Air Force – F/A-18 Hornet

A design consisting of, at the top of the coin, a representation of a McDonnell Douglas F/A‑18 Hornet jet fighter aircraft in flight, viewed from the front, and in the background, stylised clouds, next to a coloured panel comprising a grey, blue and light blue pattern. In the centre of the coin is a representation of another McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet jet fighter aircraft in flight, viewed from above, and partially obscuring a stylised representation of the City of Newcastle coastline in the background. At the bottom of the coin is a coloured panel comprising a light blue and darker blue pattern, a grey representation of the Royal Australian Air Force roundel partially obscured by the surrounding border. The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”; “MCDONNELL DOUGLAS”; “1985 – 2021”; “F/A – 18 HORNET”; and “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CENTENARY”.

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.

2021 50c Coloured Uncirculated Coin - Centenary of Royal Australian Air Force – F-35

A design consisting of, at the top of the coin, a representation of a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft in flight viewed from the front, and, in the background, stylised clouds, next to a coloured panel comprising grey, dark grey, teal, and black diagonal stripes. In the central portion of the coin is a representation of another Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft in flight, viewed from above, partially obscuring an aerial view of the RAAF Base Tindal. At the bottom of the coin is a coloured panel comprising a grey, dark grey, teal and black pattern, based on markings on a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft operated by the Royal Australian Air Force. The design includes the following inscriptions: “50”; “LOCKHEED MARTIN”; “2018-2021”; “F-35”; and “ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CENTENARY”.

Consistent with all Australian legal tender coinage, an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will appear on the obverse side of the coins together with the inscriptions “ELIZABETH II” and “AUSTRALIA” and the inscription, in numerals, of a year. The obverse design includes the initials of the designer Jody Clark “JC”.