The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), the Australian financial industry's dispute resolution body, has reaffirmed its commitment to reconciliation by launching a new action plan.

AFCA's Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) outlines the dispute resolution body's actions over the next 12 months to strengthen the relationships, respect, and opportunities for First Nations people by building trust and understanding.

“We are at the beginning of our reconciliation journey, and our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan is the first step,” said AFCA Chief Ombudsman and CEO David Locke. “It is a public statement of our commitment to reconciliation with First Nations peoples.

“As Australia's financial ombudsman, we operate on Traditional Lands throughout Australia. We want to be an organisation that delivers its service to First Nations peoples through understanding, respect, and cultural confidence.”

AFCA Deputy Chief Ombudsman and proud Kureinji woman Dr. June Smith added: “The Reflect RAP serves as a guide to building meaningful, genuine, and mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations peoples, communities, and businesses, so we can deliver culturally confident and accessible services. AFCA will contribute to reconciliation through financial and economic inclusion in this way.”

AFCA joins more than 1,100 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations committed to reconciliation through the RAP program. The four types of RAP – reflect, innovate, stretch, and elevate – allow RAP partners to develop and strengthen reconciliation commitments.

“We will actively seek to listen to and learn from First Nations peoples as we go on this journey,” Dr. Smith said.