On 18 June, at the Riverside Theatres, the Whitlam Institute and the University of Western Sydney School of Economics and Finance are bringing to Parramatta a panel of experts to discuss the nature and true costs of the GFC on the very local level for individuals, workers and households.

This is the second of three public forums on 'Getting to Grips with the Economy'. The series brings together leading economists, social researchers and policy specialists with a wide range of backgrounds and viewpoints.

Speakers in this session, "Hitting Home: The domestic impacts of economic re-alignment" are: * Clare Martin, CEO, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) * Professor Robert Fagan, Emeritus Professor of Human Geography; Adjunct Professor, Macquarie University Centre for Research on Social Inclusion * Professor Raja Junankar, School of Economics and Finance, University of Western Sydney

Eric Sidoti, Director of the Whitlam Institute, says the public sessions are designed to provide the community a chance to engage with key decision makers and commentators.

"The economy can often appear too complex for any of us to get a handle on and that leaves too many of us outside the debate. Important decisions lie ahead and that means it's crucial for us all to try and get a better understanding of what is happening and why. This forum provides the unique opportunity for people to hear how international events will impact on taxation, labour markets, housing, debt and income distribution," says Mr Sidoti.

"There will also be plenty of time for the expert panel to field questions from the audience."

This is the second series of public forums organised by the Whitlam Institute, following up on the popular Energy Security discussion series in 2008.

The Whitlam Institute within the University of Western Sydney is a leading national centre for the dialogue and debate on public policy - it is a bipartisan think-tank for the people, working to ignite debate, strengthen discussion and enrich policy development in Australia.

WHAT: 'Getting to grips with the economy' - public information series

WHEN: Session 2, Thursday 18 June, 2009, 5 - 7pm WHERE: Riverside Theatres, cnr Church and Market Streets, Parramatta DETAILS: $10 per session (incl.

GST). BOOKINGS: http://www.riversideparramatta.co m.au or ph: 02 8839 3399 More information and school bookings: http://www.whitlam.org or ph: (02) 9685 9187