'Royal commission' into ongoing impact of colonisation

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Victoria to establish 'royal commission' into ongoing impact of colonisation

The Victorian government has announced it will move to establish a Truth and Justice Commission into historic and contemporary injustices experienced by First Nations people in the state.

Acting Premier James Merlino said the commission would be conducted at "arm's length" from the government and would be granted the same powers as a royal commission.

"From today, we'll have an expression of interest for five commissioners to run an independent commission... and in line with the calls from the First People's Assembly again it will have the powers of a royal commission," he said.

"This is long overdue. It is an acknowledgement that the pain in our past is present in the lives of people right now."

Mr Merlino labelled the move an opportunity for "truth-telling" and "truth-healing", claiming it was one of the proudest moments of his career to begin this process.

"You can't have true reconciliation for all Victorians until will go through this process. Whilst this is a first for our nation... this is something that has been happening around the world," he said.

The commission is expected to be set up by the middle of this year and will take about three years, with an interim report released in mid-2021.