New home loans dropped by a record 15% as Australia’s housing market downturn deepens

By Christian A. Nygaard, Professor of Housing Economics, UNSW

New mortgage loans dropped by a record 15% in the September quarter as the housing market downturn deepened, led by a 30.6% dive in lending to investors, official figures on Wednesday showed.

The Reserve Bank’s five interest rate hikes and stagnant real wages have hit housing demand from investors, first-home buyers and established home owners. Reforms to tax rules for investors have also contributed to sinking investor demand for existing…

Read complete article

~	Some antidepressants may work better than others long term – new study

~	One of the Beaconsfield miners has died. Here’s how his story hooked the nation for 20 years

~	Reported Death of Uyghur Woman Detained Since Age 14

~	We tracked 20 years of crop cycles and protests in Kenya – unrest follows a clear seasonal rhythm

~	Science is getting closer to beating malaria, so what’s still in the way? 3 areas where action can make an impact

~	Andy Burnham and climate change: where does the prime minister really stand?

~	How babies are born knowing the difference between day and night

~	The collagen craze promises younger-looking skin, but the evidence is less convincing

~	Why young protesters in France are turning against TV channel CNews

~	Tajikistan: UN Members Urge Stronger Rights Protection