Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about the Royal Australian Mint and the 60th anniversary of Australia's move to decimal currency. On 14 February 1966, Australia changed how it counted money. Pounds, shillings and pence were replaced with dollars and cents. It was a significant national reform affecting every household, every business and every school in the country. For many Australians, it required relearning some basics. Prices changed. Wages changed. Everyday transactions had to be recalculated. The scale of the task should not be understated.

What made the change successful was planning and public education. The transition was carefully managed, and the government understood that people needed help translating policy into everyday life. That help came in many forms, including the now-familiar 'decimal currency—the easy way' jingle, which turned a complex reform into something people could recognise, repeat and remember. It was a practical choice. By meeting people where they were, the government reduced confusion and built confidence. That lesson still matters, because reforms of this scale work best when they're explained clearly and consistently, not just announced.

The Royal Australian Mint played a central role in that transition. Established in 1965, the Mint was responsible for producing the new decimal coins and ensuring they were ready for circulation across the country. Since then, the Mint has continued to supply Australia's circulating coinage. It has also taken on a broader role as a national institution that reflects Australia's history, culture and identity through coin design.

I recently attended the Capital Region Showcase here in Parliament House, where the Mint had a stand. I was also able to visit the Mint itself as part of a public opportunity offered to mark the 60th anniversary of Australia's introduction of decimal currency. During that visit, I joined other members of the public in pressing a $1 coin to commemorate the anniversary. It was a practical and engaging way to connect with this milestone and to see firsthand the craftsmanship and precision involved in Australia's coin production. That opportunity is still available, so I would suggest anyone listening to my contribution here today—I'm sure there are thousands and thousands!—to hotfoot it over to the Royal Australian Mint and pick up a bit of history.

I was able to see the Mint's work up close and was given one of the 60 years of decimal currency coins at the showcase. It was a simple reminder that those coins are not just functional objects; they do carry history and meaning, even when they are part of everyday life. To mark this anniversary, the Mint—as I've already said—has released a series that brings together design elements from all eight of Australia's circulating coins. Native animals, national symbols and familiar imagery are combined in a way that reflects continuity rather than nostalgia.

These designs are not decorative for their own sake; they show how currency can act as a record of national choices and priorities over time. Coin collecting builds on that. It encourages care, patience and attention. It also creates opportunities to learn about history, design and symbolism. The Mint's resources on coin collecting and coin care support that learning in a practical and accessible way. Learning how to look after coins is part of that process. It reinforces the idea that value is not only about spending; it's also about preservation and respect for shared history.

In an economy that is increasingly digital, physical currency still matters. Coins are reliable, accessible and inclusive. They do not require technology or connectivity. But they continue to be important for many Australians, including older people and those who rely on cash to manage household budgets. I also wish to acknowledge the contribution of the Royal Australian Mint and the role it has in producing Australia's coinage and supporting education and public understanding. I commend them on the work they've done in celebrating the 60 years of decimal currency, and I put on record my appreciation of the Mint staff, who are very well educated in the support that they give to people who are visiting the Royal Australian Mind. (Time expired)