The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has announced the establishment of its Consumer Advisory Panel, and committed to consulting with consumer advocates on all major initiatives it undertakes.The panel will provide insights and analysis on strategic and policy issues, as well as highlight emerging issues facing consumers.It consists of ten leading consumer representatives and is chaired by Peter Gartlan, who was previously the Executive Officer for the Financial and Consumer Rights Council and on the board of the Consumer Action Law Centre.AFCA Chief Executive Officer and Chief Ombudsman David Locke said the panel would ensure consumer needs were being met."AFCA exists to deliver fair solutions to financial disputes, to provide access to justice for consumers and small business owners, and to work with industry to improve its practices and minimise disputes arising in the first place," Locke said."We are committed to providing an excellent service to all consumers and we can only succeed with this if we understand the differing needs that our customers have."Consumer organisations see thousands of people every year and have unique perspectives that can help inform AFCA's work."We have ensured that we have selected Panel members who represent the community we serve, including older Australians, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders, vulnerable communities and those with financial difficulties."The panel will meet quarterly in different locations across Australia, with its first meeting set for 29 March in Melbourne."In addition to this panel, AFCA will hold sessions in capital cities across Australia with frontline staff and financial counsellors who work in law centres and other not-for-profits," Locke said."We will also run open sessions for the public as part of a national roadshow over the next 12 months."The AFCA Consumer Advisory Panel members are: Peter Gartlan, Consultant (Chair) April Blair, Solicitor, Legal Aid NSW Gerard Brody, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Action Law Centre Karen Cox, Coordinator, Financial Rights Legal Centre Anne Crouch, Manager, Uniting Country SA Aaron Davis, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Consumer Action Network Tony Devlin, Territorial Coordinator Moneycare, The Salvation Army Fiona Guthrie, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Counselling Australia Paul Holmes, Senior Lawyer, Legal Aid Queensland Gemma Mitchell, Managing Solicitor, Consumer Credit Legal Service WA Sonia Vignjevic, Victorian State Director, Settlement Services International