‘Republicanism by stealth’: Australia’s Great Seal redesign ditches reference to monarch

Historian also questions complete silence' around First Nations sovereignty in new design

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Australia's formal symbol of sovereignty, its Great Seal, has been redesigned without a reference to the monarch, breaking with more than 120 years of tradition and triggering criticisms of republicanism by stealth".

The new version of the Great Seal of Australia - a ceremonial stamp authorised by the monarch and used on key documents exercising royal powers in Australia - was authorised via royal warrants signed by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and King Charles III during his visit to Canberra's Government House earlier this month.

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