Tax changes 'crack the nut' on housing affordability

Key points

• The Australia Institute says the nation's housing market is seeing its biggest affordability improvement in 50 years. Its chief economist, Greg Jericho, credits Labor's curbs to investor tax breaks.
• National housing prices have fallen 5.2 per cent since March, according to property data firm Cotality. Investor loans for established homes fell 14 per cent in the June quarter, while loans for new builds rose 4.4 per cent.
• Rent growth has eased, and independent economist Saul Eslake says the changes have not pushed rents higher.