The Federal Government has appointed a four-person expert reference panel to assist a transition team tasked with smoothing the switch to the new Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).

“It is important that the AFCA transition team draw on existing dispute resolution expertise and a wide range of views, to make sure AFCA is fit for purpose and meets the needs of consumers, small business and industry,” Financial Services Minister Kelly O’Dwyer said.

The panel appointees are Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) Chief Ombudsman Shane Tregillis, Superannuation Complaints Tribunal (SCT) Chairman Helen Davis, Self-Employed Australia director Robin Buckham and Superannuation Complaints Tribunal advisory council consumer member John Berrill.

Transition team leader Malcolm Edey is to meet with the panel in coming weeks, having already held initial consultations with stakeholders.

The Credit and Investments Ombudsman, SCT and FOS will be rolled into AFCA from next July to create a one-stop dispute resolution scheme.