The Conditional Release Program

This week we are back with another news episode because there is a bloody lot going on. First up, Jack gives a quick eulogy for his friend Jon Kudelka, a political cartoonist who used to work with Jack at the Aus. He was a good man - and a funny one - and is a loss to the nation. We have an early days look at the violence that broke out in Sydney between protestors and police. Premier Minns keeps on saying he 'makes no apologies' but might have to change his tune on that as a lot of footage is coming out which paints NSW police in a very bad light. But then again, we did see footage of a very rude man assaulting a police officer('s bicycle) by obstructing its path while falling down. Then we saw him viciously place his ribs in the way of the officer's fists. Several times, no less. It's really bad. I think he should probably make apologies. We look at the sidelined story of the attempted terrorist attack in Perth. It didn't get much traction in the news and that quite reasonably upset a few people. We have seen some mentions in parliament, including a motion from Senator Thorpe but it has now been declared a terrorist attack and the alleged kid is allegedly in deep shit. We were going to look at gun laws and MFA but we just ran out of puff. We have that stuff written up though and it's coming soon. We lighten the mood by looking at the SATANIC SUPERBOWL HALF TIME SHOW which spoke SATANIC GIBBERISH and offended a lot of idiots. It's just racism though. Weird, confected racism. We touch on the epstein files. We look at a very funny sovcit. And Pete is back! Poorer than before but still richer than me and probably richer than you. If he's not, I bloody hope you are a patron. Give us money. AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE BUY CBCo beer at cbco.beer! We don't get a cut but it looks good to the marketing folks if you use CRP10 at the checkout. Keep the beer flowing and I will keep the pod coming. Bless! Enjoy!

Show Notes - Episode 143 Recorded: 3 February 2026 Released: 8 February 2026 Episode Description Jack the Insider (Joel Hill) and Hong Kong Jack tackle the RBA's surprise interest rate hike, the coalition's post-election implosion, and dive deep into the Epstein files fallout. From Gaza peace plans to Japanese economic roller coasters, plus Carlton's dodgy pre-season training—it's all here. Timestamps & Topics 00:25 - Welcome & RBA Breaking News The Reserve Bank hikes interest rates by 0.25 percentage points as predicted, with markets forecasting two more increases this year in response to 3.8% inflation. 01:29 - Interest Rates: The Blunt Instrument Discussing government spending as the inflation driver and the uneven effects of rate hikes on mortgage holders versus savers. 03:35 - Trump vs The Fed How the US Federal Reserve dropped rates under pressure from Trump despite similar inflation to Australia, and the risks of economic overheating. 05:22 - Blame the Barmy Army? A tongue-in-cheek theory from KO: Did England's cricket supporters spending during the Ashes tour drive up inflation to 3.8%? 06:49 - Cocaine Economics Australia's most expensive drugs in the world, Rugby World Cup memories, and why Western Australia pays double. 08:38 - Coalition Chaos: Nationals Hold On David Littleproud's leadership survives as spill motion fails, but Andrew Hastie drops out of Liberal leadership race. 09:33 - The Oxford Connection Angus Taylor, Tony Abbott, and Australia's history of Oxford-educated prime ministers—from Gorton to Turnbull. 10:09 - Angus Taylor's Shadow Treasurer Struggles Troy Bramston's scathing assessment of Taylor's poor performance and lost economic credibility for the Coalition. 11:37 - Coalition Split Continues Littleproud rejects reconciliation attempts while Sussan Ley remains Liberal leader, with potential "none-of-the-above" candidates waiting in the wings. 12:13 - Listener Ray on Electoral Math The great compulsory preferential voting debate: why the Nationals win 15 seats on 3% of first preferences while Greens get one seat on 12%. 14:26 - Anthony Green's Patience The legendary election analyst educates Twitter on how Labor would have won 85 seats under first-past-the-post voting. 15:26 - One Nation's Coalition Targets Anthony Green's analysis reveals 20 Liberal and National seats at risk from One Nation, with only five Labor seats vulnerable. 17:27 - Could One Nation Replace the Nationals? Exploring the possibility of a major conservative realignment, with potential Nationals MPs considering defection. 19:35 - What Do the Nationals Stand For? From "agrarian socialists" to today's identity crisis—the party that used to represent farmers now struggles to define its purpose. 21:05 - Anti-Semitic Abuse at Sydney University Former staff member Rose Nakard faces court on stalking and intimidation charges for allegedly calling Jewish students "fucking filthy Zionists" and "parasites." 24:45 - Community Response Over Legislation Why community rejection of hate speech matters more than criminalising phrases like "globalise the intifada," and the problems with new laws affecting police discretion. 27:21 - $25 Billion Hospital and NDIS Deal Albanese and state premiers sign massive health funding package while agreeing to limit NDIS growth to 6% or less. 28:21 - Autism and the NDIS Debate Moving mild forms of autism out of NDIS into schools—sensible reform or cost-shifting? Only 23% of NDIS costs despite larger recipient numbers. 29:38 - The NDIS Needs a Medicare-Style Rethink Comparing the transition from Medibank to Medicare: why the NDIS needs root-and-branch reform, not just tinkering. 31:03 - Chronic Illness Left Out People with ME, CFS, MS, and fibromyalgia struggle to access NDIS support while other areas may be over-serviced. 33:26 - Spain's Migrant Amnesty Spain grants legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants—stark contrast to anti-immigration sentiment across...

Ai slop as usual for shownotes. If HKJ pays me some of those HKDs then I'll maybe make an effort. Until then, eat your robot kibble and enjoy the show! Australia Day tensions at home and political shocks abroad drive this packed episode of The Two Jacks. Joel (Jack the Insider) and Hong Kong Jack unpack the Liberal–National implosion, leadership manoeuvring, hate‑speech laws and neo‑Nazi “martyrs” springing from Australia Day rallies and a near‑catastrophic device in Perth. They then cross to the US for the fallout from the ICE killing of Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretty, Kristi Noem’s precarious future, Trump’s political instincts, and Mark Carney’s Davos warning that we now live in a world with “no rules.” Along the way they dissect Brexit’s economic hangover, EU over‑regulation, India’s Republic Day contrast with Australia’s low‑key national day, and finish with sport: Premier League title nerves, Australian Open heat controversies, bushfires, and a final detour through film censorship trivia in Ireland. 00:00 – Theme and intro 00:25 – Welcome back to The Two Jacks; Joel (Jack the Insider) in Australia and Hong Kong Jack set the scene for episode 142, recorded 27 January, the day after Australia Day.​ Australian politics and the Liberal–National implosion 00:40 – Coalition “no more”: the decoupling of Liberals and Nationals, and whether Anthony Albanese is the Stephen Bradbury of Australian politics or a quiet tactician.​ 01:10 – How Labor’s racial vilification moves and 18C history boxed the opposition in; Susan Ley’s failed emergency‑sitting gambit on antisemitism laws.​ 02:00 – Firearms law changes and new powers to ban hate groups like Hizb ut‑Tahrir and the National Socialist Network, and the role of ASIO referrals and ministerial discretion.​ 03:10 – Canavan’s “slippery slope” fears about bans being turned on mainstream groups, and what that reveals about the Nationals’ hunger for anti‑immigration rhetoric under pressure from One Nation and Pauline Hanson.​ Centre‑right parties in a squeeze 04:00 – The Nationals as the “five‑percenters” who pull the coalition’s agenda with a small vote share; listener Bassman calls them the “un‑Nationals.”​ 05:00 – Global “tough times” for centre‑right parties: the pincer between moving to the centre (and leaving a vacuum for far‑right populists) or moving right and losing the middle.​ 05:40 – Hong Kong Jack’s argument for broad churches: keeping everyone from sensible One Nation types to inner‑city wets under one tent, as Labor did with its far‑left “fruit loops” in the 1980s.​ 07:00 – Decline of small‑l liberals inside the Liberal Party, the thinning ranks of progressive conservatives, and the enduring “sprinkling of nuts” on the hard right.​ Leadership spills and who’s next 07:20 – Susan Ley’s lonely press conferences, Ted O’Brien’s silence, and the air of inevitability about a leadership spill before or by budget time.​ 08:20 – Why the leadership needs “strength at the top”: the Gareth Evans line to Hawke – “the dogs are pissing on your swag” – as a metaphor for knowing when to go.​ 09:20 – Conversation about Angus Taylor, Andrew Hastie, Ted O’Brien and even Tim Wilson as possible leaders, and why the wrong timing can make almost anyone opposition leader.​ 10:40 – History lesson: unlikely leaders who flourished, from Henry Bolte in Victoria to Albanese, once dismissed by his own colleagues as a long shot.​ 11:40 – Albanese’s long apprenticeship: learning from Howard’s cautious style and the Rudd–Gillard chaos, and his instinct for the national mood.​ Listener mail: Nationals, Barnaby and “public bar” politicians 13:00 – Listener Lawrence compares One Nation to Britain’s Reform Party; asks if Barnaby Joyce’s baggage (drought envoy rorts, “Watergate,” drunken footpath photo) undermines his retail skills.​ 14:20 – Debating whether Barnaby ever was the “best retail politician” in the country; why he works brilliantly in rural and regional pubs but is “poison in the...

As usual, ai slop shownotes. Robots think that I am Jack or whatever. Enjoy! In this episode of The Two Jacks, Jack the Insider (Joel Hill) and Hong Kong Jack (Jack) dive into a packed agenda of Australian and global politics. They start with the federal government's urgent move to push through new hate speech and gun control laws, discussing the disbanding of neo-Nazi groups and the alarming rise of minors on extremism watchlists. The conversation takes a sharp turn into a heated debate over the "economic self-harm" of Brexit, with Jack the Insider citing a £100 billion annual trade loss while Hong Kong Jack remains a defiant supporter. The Jacks also cover: Trump’s Trade War UK Political Maneuvers Sporting Scandals and Struggles 00:00:25 – Introduction Jack the Insider (Joel) and Hong Kong Jack open the show on January 20, 2026, discussing the unscheduled sitting of the Australian Parliament to finalize an omnibus bill. 00:01:05 – Hate Speech Legislation & The National Socialist Network The Jacks break down the removal of racial vilification clauses and the remaining "hate group" provisions. They discuss the reported disbanding—and subsequent lobbying efforts—of the National Socialist Network. 00:04:17 – Extremism Watchlists & Youth Grooming A discussion on the 320 individuals currently monitored by security agencies, with a focus on the alarming number of minors being "groomed" by radical ideologies. 00:06:50 – The Bondi Royal Commission & Law Enforcement Lethargy The hosts preview the upcoming Royal Commission, touching on claims that New South Wales Police may have ignored security warnings prior to major anti-Semitic incidents. 00:08:14 – Anti-Semitism and Australian Migration History A look at the "New Australian" migration success story post-WWII and the current shameful necessity of armed guards at Jewish schools and synagogues. 00:17:09 – Australian Gun Law Changes Analyzing the impact of new limits on ammunition and firearm ownership for amateur hunters and "weekend warriors." 00:19:22 – Political Polling: The Rise of One Nation Recent Demos polling shows One Nation surging to over 20%, potentially acting as a "parking spot" for disaffected voters from both major parties. 00:24:35 – Iran: Echoes of 1979 Reflecting on the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the late Mark Colvin’s coverage of the regime’s early massacres. 00:27:50 – US Midterms & The Battle for Greenland A look at the Polymarket odds for the 2026 US Midterms and the strategic (and perhaps absurd) debate over the US acquisition of Greenland. 00:33:11 – Trump’s Tariffs & "The Art of the Renegotiation" The impact of a 10% hike on European goods, including a deep dive into America's dependence on Denmark for Ozempic and insulin. 00:35:22 – The Brexit Economic Autopsy The Jacks have a heated debate over the long-term economic damage of Brexit, including trade losses estimated at £100 billion a year and alleged Russian influence on the "Leave" campaign. 00:42:15 – UK Politics: The Jenrick Defection How Kemi Badenoch outmaneuvered Robert Jenrick's defection to Nigel Farage's Reform party. 00:46:09 – Germany’s Energy Crisis Friedrich Merz calls the exit from nuclear energy a "strategic mistake" as Germany reverts to brown coal to keep the lights on. 00:49:29 – The Gaza "Board of Peace" Discussing the controversial international board involving Tony Blair and Jared Kushner, and Australia's invitation to join. 00:54:29 – Sports: Australian Open & BBL Privatization Crowd chaos at the Australian Open and the warnings from Jason Gillespie regarding the potential sale of BBL franchises to overseas interests. 01:06:53 – West Ham & The High Cost of Relegation The "sweetheart deal" for the Olympic Stadium is turning into a nightmare for UK taxpayers as West Ham faces the threat of the Championship. 01:12:47 – Strange World: Norwegian Ski Jumping Scandal A bizarre report on Norwegian ski jumpers allegedly "artificially inflating" their suits for...

Listeners! We are long overdue for a news episode but this one dated bloody quickly - that being said, it's not completely pointless and there's plenty of meat left in this sandwich. Just pretend it's last week and be all like 'oooh I wonder what version of this bill will pass'. We will probably do something more concrete to follow up next week. Lots to discuss here. Anyway, this week we look at the big bad omnibus bill and the Royal Commission which had to happen because Wayne Carey and Sam Newman said so. We look at Brendan Nicholls, a good bloke having a bad week who is completely misunderstood and really just a great guy that works at Bunnings. Tommy Robinson accidentally reveals his sexual proclivities which are slightly at odds with his public grievances. Oh Tommy, you really Yaxleyed your Lennons on this one. And we have MAN LIVING IN BODY for SovCits. Does putting that in all caps turn his sassy title into a strawman? Probably. He needs to pony up a TFN for an inheritance - and he's working very hard not to get a lot of free money. He is an idiot. We have a new segment - Kill Count - where we compare and contrast Musk and RFK Jr.'s efforts to kill as many people as possible. And Babet is having a meltdown. As usual. He is an idiot. Enjoy! Here's some AI slop shownotes with timestamps for those who want to skip around the ep: This episode of the Conditional Release Program rings in 2026 with a deep dive into the political and social fallout following the Bondi terror attack. Hosts Jack the Insider (Peter Hoysted) and Joel Hill navigate the complexities of new hate speech legislation, the sudden disbanding of neo-Nazi groups, and the controversies surrounding the upcoming Royal Commission. Episode Highlights & Timestamps [00:00:30] Introduction: Happy New Year 2026? [00:01:38] Sponsor: CBCO BeerCRP10 [00:02:13] Global Intel Stings [00:02:54] The Bondi Aftermath & "Tribal Shitshow" [00:04:17] The End of the National Socialist Network (NSN) [00:07:51] The Combating Anti-Semitism, Hate, and Extremism Bill [00:11:42] The Politics of the Omnibus Bill [00:21:04] The Rise of One Nation & The Death of the Liberals? [00:26:03] Defining Terrorism & Radicalization [00:31:51] "Aggravated Grooming" Offences [00:46:10] Hate Crime Case Study: Brendan Nichols [00:58:13] The Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism and Social CohesionVirginia Bell [01:09:02] Security Failures: CSG and the NSW Police [01:14:33] Tommy Robinson’s Algorithm "Self-Own" [01:18:49] SovSit Corner: The "Man Living in Body" [01:27:36] Kill Count: Musk vs. RFK Jr. [01:39:23] Zippy Babbitt’s UK Obsession

AI slop as usual. Enjoy! In this wide-ranging episode, the Two Jacks dissect Australia's improved bushfire response amid the Victorian fires, the newly announced royal commission under Justice Virginia Bell, Kevin Rudd's resignation as US Ambassador, escalating unrest in Iran and Venezuela, Ukrainian paramilitary intrigue, US political and economic turbulence, and a detailed cricket analysis covering the Australian summer and England's ongoing struggles. 0:00–0:27 Introduction Opening banter and Hong Kong theme music 0:27–8:00 Australian Bushfires Discussion of recent Victorian fires around Alexandra and Longwood; praise for improved evacuation technology, CFA coordination, and community heroism since Black Saturday 8:00–11:09 Kevin Rudd's Resignation Analysis of Rudd's departure as US Ambassador, his public spat with Elon Musk, and new role as Asia Society President 11:09–20:50 Royal Commission Announcement Deep dive into Virginia Bell's appointment, scope of the inquiry (governance failures, anti-Semitism, extremism), government delays, and potential security secrecy measures 20:50–31:00 Australian Political Landscape Polling analysis, Labor vs. LNP, One Nation's resurgence, upcoming South Australian election, and protest voting dynamics 31:00–36:00 US Economic & Political Turmoil VIX volatility, Jerome Powell's position, interest rate debates, and Trump administration's policy impacts 36:00–45:00 Iran Protests & Regional Unrest Economic collapse (Rial devaluation), spreading regional protests, regime fragility, Western hesitation on intervention, and BRICS dynamics 44:00–50:00 Venezuela Crisis Maduro's grip on power, US sanctions, paramilitary threats, opposition struggles, and regional destabilization 50:00–56:00 US Domestic Issues Minnesota shooting incident, police conduct debates, First Amendment tensions, and body-camera footage controversies 56:00–1:00:00 Ukraine Conflict Update Denis Kapustin's alleged drone strike death, neo-Nazi paramilitary links, GUR intelligence operations, and misinformation battles 1:00:00–1:09:00 European & UK Politics Starmer's Labour struggles, potential leadership challenges, Macron's position in France, and broader European political shifts 1:09:00–1:22:00 Cricket Analysis Australian summer review, BBL performances, emerging talent (multicultural pipeline), England's coaching chaos, disciplinary issues, and 2027 Ashes preview 1:22:00–End Wrap-Up & Listener Engagement Final thoughts and call for listener feedback Key Topics Covered Australian BushfiresRoyal CommissionKevin RuddIranVenezuelaUkraineCricketBRICS

We love Dave. He turns up to things, he watches all those cringe videos and he keeps an eye on all the cooked little gremlins trying to evangelise the noble pursuit of racism, intolerance and paranoid conspiracy theories. Bless. He's been to a few rallies. We had a chat about that and some other things. It was like 3 weeks ago and it's finally being uploaded. To be honest, guys, it's been a depressing year. I find it more and more difficult to keep up with the latest news because it's just so DISAPPOINTING. We really have seen an uptick in people taking their dickhead pills over the past month and I just can't be excited by any of it. I'm working on getting my mojo back. For now, here's a chat with Dave. It's unscripted so there's a bit more um and ah than usual but that just adds to the charm (please agree). Enjoy!

Here's another one! I don't know if it's any good but the blurb seems interesting. Merry Christmas y'all. We thought that around now would be the time the antivax movement died. The data is clear - vaccines work. Not only that, but side effects are incredibly rare. Despite this, antivaxxers have simply lied their way through it - claiming that every heart attack is a result of the vaccines and pushing conspiracy theories alongside any celebrity death they can. With the 'revelation' that Pfizer didn't test for transmission in the clinical trials (clinical trials that antivaxxers previously denied ever happened) we have seen yet another perceived victory for these idiots, with many of them expecting some form of apology. I'm sorry you're an idiot? Will that do? Jack looks at the data - and we discuss the bad faith argument put forward as a result of this honest answer from a pfizer exec being conned by an antivax snake. Published 28th Oct 2022.

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals! Here's an xmas gift for y'all. Something from the premium vaults. This one is on the dumb Balenciaga outrage that happened back in the day when Q-Anon was a fringe thing and not a normal part of mainstream politics. Simpler times, somehow. Published 8th December 2022. Enjoy! ---------- We were going to do this one on main but honestly heaps of shit has happened so let's swing this one to the patrons! We look at the absurdity of the Balenciaga scandal. I mean, they're not wrong - it's kinda fucked up. But are the right taking cancel culture as their own? Where's the line between art and fashion and which gulag should we throw them all into? The book burning right show their true colours with this one - but why do rich dickheads spend insane money commoditising children?!? Fuck knows...

More slop but hey it's detailed. That's nice.

A whole mess of AI generated shownotes. Enjoy! 00:25 – Christmas in Hong Kong, KFC in Japan Joel (Jack the Insider) opens Episode 138 and checks in with Jack (Hong Kong Jack) about Hong Kong’s love of Christmas shopping, surreal mall installations and the absence of nativity scenes, before detouring to Japan’s KFC-at-Christmas tradition.​ 01:50 – Australia’s world‑first social media ban for under‑16s The Jacks unpack the new national ban on social media for under‑16s, the generational politics of Gen Alpha kids and millennial parents, and the “pick up a book, go for a bike ride” messaging from Anthony Albanese and Julie Inman Grant.​ They read out Vox pops about kids discovering life without apps, YouTube‑driven body image issues, and the early scramble to alternative chat and file‑sharing apps like LemonAid.​ 05:35 – Social engineering, High Court challenge and mental health concerns They describe the policy as a conscious piece of social engineering aimed at reshaping youth culture over a decade, and note the High Court challenge led by the Digital Freedom Movement and Libertarian MLC John Ruddick.​ Beyond Blue, Headspace, ReachOut and the Black Dog Institute warn about cutting off access to online mental‑health support, as the Jacks weigh the internet’s harms against the value of peer support communities for young people.​ 09:35 – Enforcement gaps, workarounds and parental resistance The Jacks discuss uneven implementation, with some under‑16s apparently still able to access Facebook and Instagram while other apps are wiped, and a rush into less‑regulated platforms.​ They note reports that up to a third of parents will quietly help kids stay online and float the idea of a nationwide “kitchen‑table” style forum to help parents understand the risks and responsibilities around kids’ social media use.​ 12:00 – A social experiment the world is watching They canvas overseas interest, with Denmark, Spain and others eyeing bans at 15 rather than 16, and Sarah Ferguson’s description of Australia’s move as a live “social experiment” whose results are very much unknown.​ 13:05 – Richo’s state funeral and the dark arts of NSW Labor Right The conversation turns to Graham “Richo” Richardson’s state funeral, his reputation as Labor’s master organiser and electoral numbers man, and his long life “on the public purse”.​ Joel recounts Richo’s link to Balmain Welding and Stan “Standover” Smith, arguing that New South Wales Labor Right’s success always had a darker underbelly.​ 15:10 – Paul Brereton, the NACC and conflicts of interest They examine National Anti‑Corruption Commission boss Paul Brereton’s updated disclosures about his ongoing work with the Inspector‑General of the ADF and Afghanistan war‑crimes inquiries, revealed via FOI.​ The Jacks question whether someone so intertwined with Defence can credibly oversee corruption matters touching Defence acquisitions, and whether carving out whole domains from his remit makes his appointment untenable.​ 18:25 – A quiet NACC, no perp walks and media theatre The Jacks note how quietly the NACC has operated in Canberra—“blink and you’d miss them”—with none of the televised “perp walks” beloved of New South Wales ICAC coverage.​ Jack welcomes the absence of media spectacle; Joel admits to missing the grimace‑through‑the‑cameras moment as accused figures run the gauntlet.​ 19:50 – Victorian youth vote turns on Labor New polling of 18–34‑year‑olds in Victoria shows Labor’s vote down 11 points to 28 per cent and the Coalition’s up 17 points to 37 per cent, with the Greens steady at 20 per cent.​ The Jacks argue the Victorian Labor government looks to be in terminal decline, discuss leadership options for Jacinta Allan, and canvass how quickly preference “cascades” can flip a long‑term government once momentum turns.​ 22:15 – Green exports vs coal, Treasury modelling under fire They dissect Treasury modelling which suggests “green exports” (critical minerals, rare earths,...

Possibly the longest shownotes in history thanks to Gemini 3 Pro. Bless the swamp from which this AI slop emerged and enjoy the episode. Or just read this, I suppose. The title sucks terribly. Do better, Gemmo! Show Notes with Time‑Shifted Timestamps (All timestamps below have been shifted forward by 25 seconds to allow for theme music, as requested.) 00:00 – Welcome, Cricket and the Pink Ball at the Gabba 00:00:25The Two Jacks00:00:3600:00:4400:01:0700:01:30Tai Po Fire, Mourning and Accountability in Hong Kong 00:01:5300:02:0700:02:3500:02:5500:03:3000:04:2300:04:5300:05:3500:06:0500:06:35Australia’s Under‑16 Social Media Restrictions & VPNs 00:06:5000:07:0500:07:3000:08:0500:08:3500:09:0000:09:2500:09:5500:11:0000:12:2000:13:4500:14:5500:16:00Bruce Lehrmann, Appeals and Costs 00:18:2200:18:4500:19:2200:20:0700:20:3500:21:0700:21:58NACC, Commissioner Brereton and Conflicts of Interest 00:23:2400:24:0300:25:2500:25:57The Struggling Australian and Global Economy, Productivity and ANZ 00:26:2000:27:0000:27:5700:28:23ANZ and Post‑Royal Commission Failures 00:28:5400:29:3000:30:2000:31:3400:32:12UK Justice Backlog and Curtailing Jury Trials 00:33:0500:33:3500:34:3800:35:0200:36:1000:36:2200:37:26Ethics in Politics, Misleading Voters and the “Ethics Czar” Problem 00:39:2100:40:1400:40:5100:41:3600:43:0300:44:0800:45:2400:46:22Ukraine War, Peace Efforts and Putin’s Rhetoric 00:46:4200:47:1700:47:5600:48:1700:49:3300:49:50Trump’s Polling Collapse, Economic Credibility and 2026 00:50:1300:51:0400:51:3900:52:3400:53:0200:54:1400:55:15Disability, Elite Colleges and the Accommodation Arms Race 00:56:0700:57:1000:57:4800:58:4500:59:4001:00:0201:01:0501:02:2101:03:40Cricket: India–South Africa, NZ–West Indies, BBL and the Gabba 01:04:2501:05:31Women’s Cricket and Phoebe Litchfield 01:06:19Gabba Day–Night Test: Australia v England 01:06:5001:07:3901:08:1101:08:4401:08:4801:09:3601:09:55Franchise Cricket, Empty Stadiums and Saving the Red‑Ball Game 01:12:1101:13:49Class and Cricket: Private Schools, Clubs and Stuart Broad 01:14:1101:15:0501:15:4701:16:2001:17:3101:18:20The Front Bar01:18:40F1, Oscar Piastri’s Bad Luck and AFLW Glory 01:21:1101:21:5701:22:50AFLW 01:22:2301:23:07Wrap‑Up, Tom Stoppard Anecdote and Season Timing 01:23:4901:24:01Jaws01:25:11Jaws01:25:56

We are back with some news! Jack looks at a theory on why there are fewer serial killers now than ever - is it because CBCo started brewing? Maybe true crime podcasters. But Jack has a theory. ACIP under Kennedy have yanked the Hepatitis B Vaccine (HBV) recommendation which is going to give RFK Jr's death count a nudge - but the numbers will come long after he's dead. Does that mean he gets away with it? Probably. Marco Rubio changes the official State Department font back to Times New Roman because Calibri is something something DEI. Is Calibri a bit gay? I suppose so? In cooker update we look at Monica's massive flop and a few other things, basic housekeeping. In SovCits we have a cracker of a story and it's predictably dumb. Speaking of predictably dumb, it's Babet this week and it's not very interesting. Enjoy!

AI slop shownotes as per usual. Possible Episode Titles Bears, Budgets, and the Billion-Dollar Interface The BOM Shell, Hong Kong Fires, and Pink Ball Tactics Bamboo Scaffolds and Bureaucratic Blowouts From the Kowloon Hills to the Gabba: Bears, Bombs, and Bazball Episode Blurb In Episode 136, Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack connect to discuss a tragic week in Hong Kong following a devastating fire in the New Territories. The Jacks dive deep into the bureaucracy back home, tearing apart the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s "interface" upgrade that ballooned from $4 million to $94 million—a classic case of consultant heavy-lifting and public service decline. The conversation spans the globe, touching on the underwhelming COP summit in Brazil, the "shambolic" UK Budget under Keir Starmer, and the curious bonhomie between Donald Trump and his political rivals. Plus, there are bears attacking in Japan and "wrench attacks" in Vancouver. Finally, the boys turn their eyes to the Gabba for the Pink Ball Test. Can England bounce back? Is Travis Head the key? And who will take home the flag in the AFLW Grand Final? Show Notes & Timestamps [00:00:00] Tragedy in Hong Kong Hong Kong Jack reports on the devastating fire in the New Territories with a death toll nearing 100. The boys discuss the history of the apartment blocks, the use of bamboo scaffolding in construction, and the grim reality of high-density living for the elderly. [00:09:13] The Lantau Swim A lighter note from HK: two swimmers tackle the waters around Lantau Island. The Jacks question the water quality near the Pearl River Delta. [00:10:31] Victorian Politics: A New Hope? Discussion on the polling boost for Victorian Liberal Leader Jess Wilson. Is the shine coming off the Labor government, and can the Liberals actually win the next state election? [00:14:03] COP30 in Brazil A wrap-up of the climate summit in Belém. The consensus? A lot of money spent for very little actionable result, and relief that Australia didn't drop a billion dollars hosting it. [00:16:15] The BOM Website Fiasco Joel tears into the Bureau of Meteorology’s upgrade. What was sold as a $4 million "interface" refresh has skyrocketed to $94 million. A broader discussion on the "consultancy disease" (Accenture, IBM) and the hollowing out of IT skills within the Australian Public Service. [00:28:03] The Brittany Higgins Saga Continues Analysis of Cameron Milner’s "Watergate" comments regarding Labor’s handling of the Fiona Brown and Linda Reynolds legal claims. The Jacks argue for a swift settlement and a fair go for Fiona Brown. [00:35:10] Inflation & The Public Service Inflation sticks at 3.5%, driven largely by government spending. Discussion on the massive expansion of the public service workforce under the current government and the lack of a "Peter Walsh-style" finance minister to curb spending. [00:39:49] Ukraine, Russia, and the Peace Deal The latest on the peace proposals. Is a "dirty deal" inevitable? The Jacks discuss Russia’s war economy, J.D. Vance’s peace plan, and why Poland’s military build-up is the model for the rest of Europe. [00:51:37] UK Budget Shambles Reaction to the Starmer Government’s budget. Leaks, "mansion taxes," and rising welfare bills for the "work-shy." Plus, Kemi Badenoch’s parliamentary performance compared to the Keating era. [00:59:04] The BBC’s Funding Crisis The "Beeb" blows a billion dollars as license fee cancellations soar. Joel and Jack discuss the archaic nature of the TV license fee compared to funding via general revenue. [01:02:19] Bear Attacks in Japan An unexpected crisis in Japan: Asiatic brown bears are moving from rural areas to urban centres, mauling nearly 200 people. [01:05:39] Crypto Crime in "Hongcouver" A violent "wrench attack" in British Columbia highlights the dangers of physical crypto theft. Joel muses on the future of encryption vs. supercomputers. [01:08:58] US Politics: Trump & The "Fascist"...

This week we have swapped Jack for Adriana Boisen who is an activist and member of the Palestine Action Group who thinks NSW Premier Chris Minns may be walking into yet another trap set by the NSN. Can we legislate neo-nazis into nonexistence? Probably not. But it makes a great headline! While the new laws are specific to nazi ideology - what does that actually mean and who decides what that is? The cops or the courts. In the end, the process is the punishment and we have seen some very dubious applications of existing laws that are meant to target neo nazis and end up punishing people who clearly are not nazis. It doesn't really matter what the outcome of the court case is, defending a criminal charge sucks. It is episode 200 which we should probably celebrate somehow but we will save that for next episode. Or we will forget. I don't know how many promises I have broken over the course of the podcast so I won't make this one. But good things are in the pipeline. Enjoy!

We are back with a classic news episode. We lead with Epstein - the thorn in Donald Trump's diaper. Did he suck off Bill Clinton? Probably not. Does he really give off a 'generous lover' aura? We also check out how old Tredders is going. It's not great. To summarise, Port Adelaide asked him to apologise for his comments on our Jewish friends and he said no. We take a quick look at the mountain of nazi news that has recently developed and bask in the schaudenfreude of the post Macquarie Street consequence festival. We recorded on Sunday so I have added a bit of an update on Matty Grutes who has had a absolute shit of a week. We look at some of the other dummies who thought the time was right to take off the mask. The time is never right to take off the mask! Get off twitter and touch some grass. People still hate nazis. In SovCits we look at a previous SovCit who remains a bit SovCitty - Andrew Morton Garrett who is a very funny boy. A winemaker who may have sampled too much of his own product. He now owns Australia. Geez. Better not laugh at him I suppose. We mentioned him in episode 156 and hopefully we will pump out an episode on him. He really is hilarious. And of course we have Pete - a man who recently dared go to the shops without shoes or a shirt, likely after a swim at the beach, and then made the truly sinister motion of putting his hands in his hair. As someone with very little hair this offends me on several levels, so I think it's completely reasonable what news.com.au decided to say about this tawdry affair. At the shops. Near a beach. Enjoy!

Recorded: November 6, 2025 (Oaks Day) Hosts: Joel Hill (Jack the Insider) & Hong Kong Jack Episode Description Join Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack as they dissect the Coalition's spectacular implosion, the Nationals' abandonment of net zero, and why Dennis Shanahan called this opposition "the worst in 40 years." Plus: Trump's approval hits rock bottom, US midterm election results send shockwaves, and why Ireland elected a grim president who toured Syria with Assad. Timestamps & Show Notes 00:00:25 - Welcome & Oaks Day Chat The Jacks kick off discussing Melbourne's Oaks Day and why it was always better than the Cup for racing enthusiasts. Hong Kong Jack shares a memorable story about a judge who mysteriously adjourned court so everyone could hit the track.​ 00:02:39 - Coalition in Crisis: Net Zero Abandoned The National Party abandons net zero emissions targets, putting enormous pressure on the Liberal Party. Dennis Shanahan declares this the "worst opposition in 40 years" after a horror question time where Alex Hawke couldn't understand basic parliamentary procedures.​ 00:05:38 - South Australian Liberal Party Mass Exodus Over 200 members quit the SA Liberal Party in protest of Susan Ley's leadership and failure to abandon net zero. The state branch, dominated by hard-right figures like Senator Alex Antic, has a history of internal bloodshed.​ 00:07:33 - What Does Net Zero Actually Mean? The Jacks discuss how net zero has become an "article of faith" for enough Australians to matter politically, even if most people can't define it. It essentially represents action on climate change in voters' minds.​ 00:12:29 - Can Susan Ley Survive to Christmas? Hong Kong Jack predicts Ley might not survive until Christmas as Liberal leader, noting the killing season is upon us with the last parliamentary sitting coming up. Her best chance? That nobody else wants the awful job.​ 00:14:38 - The James Patterson Problem Senator James Patterson is described as a rising star who actually reads his briefs, but he's stuck in the Senate. Finding him a safe House seat in Victoria is virtually impossible with Monash (the safest Liberal seat) held by only 4%.​ 00:16:58 - Liberal Party: From Major to Minor Jack the Insider argues we're witnessing the Liberal Party's descent from major to minor party status, not unlike what happened to the United Australia Party in 1943. With only 26 members in parliament and 24% primary vote, the party faces potential oblivion.​ 00:18:34 - One Nation's Rise: 15-16% and Growing One Nation's support has surged from 6% to 15-16%, with the party establishing branches across NSW and Queensland. The biggest threat isn't to the Liberals, but to the Nationals in mining-based seats like Hunter and Capricornia.​ 00:21:46 - COP in Adelaide: A Billion Dollar Boondoggle? The proposed Conference of the Parties climate summit in Adelaide carries a $1 billion price tag. Hong Kong Jack questions who would notice if it didn't happen "apart from the grifters."​ 00:23:27 - National Anti-Corruption Commission Troubles Commissioner Paul Brereton faces serious conflict of interest issues due to his Army Reserve role and involvement in Afghanistan war crimes inquiries. The commission operates largely in secret, disappointing those who wanted an ICAC-style public inquiry.​ 00:28:23 - RoboDebt: Why No Criminal Charges? Discussion of the SBS documentary on RoboDebt and why senior public servants who knew the scheme was illegal haven't faced criminal charges. Some even got promoted despite their roles in the scandal.​ 00:30:19 - Bureau of Meteorology Website Disaster The BOM's new website launched right before severe Queensland storms, leaving users unable to understand warnings. The acting CEO was dragged before Minister Murray Watt for a ritual flogging and awkward video apology.​ 00:35:52 - "Free" Solar Power Announcement Chris Bowen announces three hours of free solar power daily for homes with smart meters...

AI slop shownotes as usual. Apologies for delay. Episode recorded: October 31, 2025 Hosts: Joel Hill (Jack the Insider) and Jack (Hong Kong Jack) Episode Title Suggestions: Show Notes with Timestamps 00:00:26 - Welcome & Halloween Celebrations The Jacks kick off with a discussion about Halloween and All Souls Day, debating whether it's an American import or a genuine cultural celebration. Hong Kong Jack describes the costume-clad children heading to school and the refreshing lack of political correctness in Halloween dress. 00:03:15 - Americanisation of Culture Debate Jack challenges the hypocrisy of those who complain about American cultural influence while wearing blue jeans, sneakers, and listening to rock and roll. 00:04:16 - Prince Andrew's Downfall Deep dive into Prince Andrew's stripping of royal titles and exile to Sandringham. The hosts discuss the ongoing Epstein scandal, alleged misconduct, and the monarchy's survival strategy. Jack the Insider argues this is about protecting the institution itself, not just managing Andrew's behavior. 00:08:25 - Royal Entitlement & The Succession Discussion of Andrew's bloated sense of entitlement, his eighth place in line to the throne, and comparisons to Edward VIII. The hosts debate whether the Royal Family can truly cut Andrew adrift or if he remains a necessary burden. 00:12:36 - Copyright, Paywalls, and Making a Dollar Analysis of a copyright controversy involving an aggregator charging $100/month to over 100 prominent Australians for content stolen from behind paywalls. The Australian media's response and the broader implications for journalism funding. 00:20:30 - AI and Copyright Protection The Albanese government's move to enshrine copyright protections against tech giants like Meta/Facebook, which pirated millions of books to train AI models. The Productivity Commission's controversial position favoring tech companies over creators. 00:24:48 - Can the Left Be Patriotic? Joe Hildebrand's campaign questioning left-wing patriotism sparks a broader conversation about what Australian values actually mean, the "Build Back Australia" movement, and why we can't manufacture cars anymore. 00:32:27 - The Anzac Day Revival Tracing how Anzac Day went from near-extinction in the 1970s to becoming a major cultural touchstone, with young Australians traveling to Gallipoli, the Kokoda Track, and other war memorial sites. 00:35:47 - Immigration and Cultural Strength Jack's powerful argument that the true test of patriotism is whether new arrivals see themselves as Australian and whether our culture is strong enough to absorb them—contrasting with Europe's struggles with multiculturalism. 00:40:13 - Organized Crime and the Tobacco Black Market Coles announces a 57% drop in cigarette sales as Australia's tobacco excise policies create a multi-billion dollar black market. Discussion of whether reducing excise is the only way to combat entrenched organized crime. 00:47:46 - Stamp Duty as a Housing Barrier Reserve Bank Governor Michelle Bullock criticizes stamp duty as preventing retirees from downsizing and workers from relocating. Analysis of how $65,000 in stamp duty on a $1.5M property creates market paralysis. 00:50:46 - One Nation Rebrands Pauline Hanson drops her name from the party as One Nation polls at 15% and builds electoral infrastructure. Comparisons to the Australian Democrats' evolution and discussion of whether they can become a serious second-tier party. 00:54:29 - The Great French Jewel Heist Updates on arrests following the $150M Louvre heist of French crown jewels—were they criminal masterminds or idiots without an exit plan? 00:55:50 - Japan's First Woman Prime Minister Japan's impressive new conservative Prime Minister, her Margaret Thatcher connection, and the challenges of governing in Japan's volatile political environment. 00:57:12 - Argentina's Milei Wins Big Javier Milei's landslide midterm victory (41% of the vote) raises...

The Conditional Release Program - Live from Skepticon 2025! Well, almost. We did a re-record. We were limited to an hour and we had some issues getting the audio file right. So we just did the script again! You won't hear the riotous laugher and rapturous applause from the audience but if you make believe you might just hear us being funny and getting a reaction. Skepticon was a lot of fun - next year it will be in Sydney and any folks that want to check out the Skeptics should head over to https://www.skeptics.com.au/ and go meet some likeminded folks! In this episode we look at the Ozenkadnook Tiger, Joel's cooked upbringing and the miracles of drinking piss. But we also revisit the important condition known as ME/CFS which has so far been terribly mismanaged by conventional medicine. Sometimes they get it wrong too. Hope you enjoy this one as much as we enjoyed crafting it. Normal programming to resume in full soon - good things ahead :-)

Just FYI there is no @thetwojacks account on 'social media' - well, not that I know of. How good is AI! We will surely be replaced. Soon. Definitely worth the water usage. Proposed Episode Titles Episode Summary In this episode, The Two Jacks break down a tumultuous week in global politics, aviation, and Australian parliamentary affairs. Highlights include a fatal cargo plane crash at Hong Kong airport, Prime Minister Albanese’s high-stakes visit to Washington, DC, and the shifting sands of party leadership in Canberra. Lively debate, incisive commentary, and recurring humor fill an hour packed with analysis—from the fate of Prince Andrew to the fallout of Brittany Higgins’ legal battles. Segment Timestamps & Key Topics TimestampTopic/Segment 00:01Greetings; episode intro and context00:16Hong Kong airport cargo plane crash — causes, casualties, aftermath01:32Anthony Albanese, Trump, and Australia’s US delegation — diplomatic exchanges04:32US-Australia $8.5B critical minerals framework agreement, Waggerup & Arafura09:27Coalition criticism: Kevin Rudd’s role, embarrassment, media moments12:14Internal Liberal Party analysis—Paterson, Taylor, Lay, women’s vote, future18:41Barnaby Joyce’s future: One Nation rumors, role of minor parties25:25Expansion of the House of Representatives — numbers, constitutional effects33:15Senate comparisons: Australia vs US, anecdotes about Ricky Muir44:42Higgins-Lehrmann-Reynolds fallout: legal actions, media fatigue53:24Australia in global happiness rankings, comparison to Scandinavian countries58:30Closing remarks and preview for next episode Call to Action