The Conditional Release Program

Friends! Romans! Cuntrymen! It is indeed that time again for another serving of AI slop to vaguely describe the TWO JACKS PODCAST! This has been generated by Kimi K2.6 which is an AI model I've never heard of. It's offered with Perplexity Pro which I got for free for some reason. What a golden age of tokens we live in. Can't wait till they actually try to recoup costs on this shit. Enjoy! Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack unpack a striking set of political and cultural fault lines, led by One Nation's polling surge and what it says about protest voting, party decay and Australia's increasingly fragmented political mood. They also take aim at Labor's failure to tell a convincing economic story, debate whether Victorian Labor can survive the year, and argue that Australia's tobacco excise regime has become a textbook public policy disaster.Further on, the conversation ranges across Europe's latest move against Russians linked to the war, the resilience and ingenuity of Ukraine, British politics around Andy Burnham and Reform, and a lively sport finish featuring the Luke Sayers/AFL mess, Fremantle's flag credentials, and England cricket's latest self-inflicted drama.Timeline00:00:25 – Welcome back to The Two Jacks: Joel Hill, aka Jack the Insider, joins Hong Kong Jack and opens with weather chat from Hong Kong before previewing a politics-heavy episode.00:01:43 – One Nation tops the polling: the Jacks examine the headline poll, what a 31 percent primary vote means, and whether a One Nation-dominated conservative bloc is now thinkable.00:03:02 – Protest vote or something bigger? A story from regional Victoria sparks a discussion about grievance politics, capital gains reform, wage policy and why people may vote against their own economic interests.00:04:50 – The “preference cascade” theory: Hong Kong Jack argues voters often keep quiet about taboo political views until they realise the neighbours are thinking the same thing.00:06:52 – A Liberal-One Nation non-compete deal? The pair look at the idea that the Liberals could stop competing in some seats and why that would be a huge sign of weakness.00:08:20 – Cos Samaras' warning: if the Coalition is polling this badly, it is not negotiating with One Nation, it is begging.00:10:37 – Could Nationals simply defect? The discussion turns to whether National Party MPs in regional seats might eventually decide orange ties are safer than blue ones.00:12:46 – Three-cornered politics: Nick Cater's view gets a run as the Jacks argue the shape of the contest is still unfolding and hard to read.00:14:10 – Preferencing One Nation: would the Liberals burn their city vote if they formally put One Nation ahead of Labor?00:16:14 – Labor's messaging problem: Peter Wilkinson's advice prompts a broader argument about how governments need a visible plan, a narrative and a destination.00:18:06 – The Dan Andrews comparison: Joel argues Andrews' strength was simple political communication, while Albanese's government seems unable or unwilling to tell a coherent story.00:21:01 – Budget politics and drift: was there a better path available to Labor, and why has the government struggled to sell even its own reforms?00:23:58 – Productivity, growth and living standards: Hong Kong Jack says the government should have framed the budget around national renewal rather than small-target politics.00:26:14 – One Nation and immigration: the Jacks debate how major parties and commentators should respond without driving more voters into Hanson's camp.00:30:40 – The value of dissent: Duncan McNabb's point about advisors who disagree leads to a broader conversation about whether modern political offices still tolerate honest internal argument.00:33:35 – How do you fight One Nation? They discuss why calling voters stupid or racist is politically useless, even when the commentary class is tempted to do exactly that.00:37:36 – Selling immigration differently: from postwar migration to Vietnamese Australians, the conversation turns to which migration success stories still resonate with voters.00:41:13 – Victoria in trouble: a fresh poll suggests Victorian Labor is in deep strife, while One Nation's rise adds another layer of chaos to the state election.00:42:53 – Should Jacinta Allan go? The Jacks debate whether replacing the Premier now would help, hurt or simply arrive too late to matter.00:46:24 – One Nation's Victorian surge: from almost nowhere to the mid-20s in polling, but without the party structure usually needed to convert support into seats.00:47:40 – Candidate risk and the ground game: why weak party organisation can hurt One Nation at election time, even if the polling looks enormous.00:50:27 – If the Liberals win, then what? The likely debt clean-up and the danger that victory could carry its own political trap.00:52:22 – Illicit tobacco and failed policy: Joel calls Australia's tobacco excise regime one of the worst examples of public policy failure in the country.00:56:40 – The black market takes over: the Jacks argue the war on smoking has instead delivered a bonanza for organised crime.00:59:14 – Should the excise be cut? They weigh the case for slashing prices to drag smokers back into the legal market.01:01:50 – Public health paternalism: a broader swipe at the regulatory mindset behind smoking, gambling and alcohol policy.01:03:17 – Europe gets tougher on Russians: Ursula von der Leyen's latest move leads into a bigger conversation about the Ukraine war and Russian displacement.01:04:30 – Ukraine's ingenuity: the Jacks discuss low-cost drone warfare, battlefield adaptation and why Ukraine has confounded predictions from the start.01:07:25 – Pressure inside Russia: Putin's security paranoia, economic strain and the social cost of a long war all come under the microscope.01:09:57 – UK politics watch: Andy Burnham, Reform, Restore Britain and what the right-wing vote split could mean.01:12:28 – AFL mess: the Luke Sayers saga, draft affidavits, the AFL integrity unit and a governing body that seems determined to make things worse.01:15:53 – On-field footy is still thriving: despite the suits, the AFL product keeps selling, and Fremantle gets a big wrap as the form side of the competition.01:18:13 – England v New Zealand: a dodgy wicket, an underwhelming contest, and why Australia may not fear Ollie Robinson all that much.01:20:14 – Ben Stokes and the nightclub curfew saga: England's leadership drama deepens after a night out turns into another avoidable mess.01:23:37 – Is Stokes near the end? The show closes on England's captaincy issues, Stokes' physical decline and whether he will even make it to the next Ashes.01:32:55 – Wrap-up: the Jacks preview next week's likely topics, including UK by-elections, and sign off.Episode info blurbJack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack dive into One Nation's extraordinary polling surge, the Coalition's flirtation with preference deals, Labor's chronic messaging failures and the warning signs flashing in Victoria. They also tackle Australia's exploding illicit tobacco trade, Europe's tougher line on Russia, the war in Ukraine, Andy Burnham's chances in Britain, AFL governance chaos and another very English cricket mess.

If Daniel wrote these shownotes they would be much nicer. But honestly, this was exhausting. Listening to people who just ramble on about things they know nothing about is tiresome. I don't know how people listen to this for pleasure. It's a genuine waste of time. But Daniel knows all about it. The dopamine hits. The self righteous anger. The feeling of tribalism. It's all baked into the piece. And while nobody seems to actually listen to their longform podcast (their listenscore is average at best), they get huge amounts of reach by making snappy little reels for social media. Reels like the one where they read out an email from the WikiLeaks/Podesta breach better known as 'Pizzagate' - except they don't read out what the emails actually say. Is this intentional or accidental? That's hard to tell. But there's one thing that's easy to see - especially for anyone familiar with DMs work - these unwitting clowns are doing the bidding of billionaires who have pushed an agenda through 'citizen journalists' and astroturf media outlets to destroy faith in institutions and create culture wars to distract us from their efforts to pillage the world for insane amounts of money. The greatest trick billionaires ever played was convincing idiots that trans kids are the problem. These guys are the the useful idiots of the Epstein class. Dan prepared a giant write up for this and did a great job. It's an excellent episode. I also finished a law exam that day (done for the semester - woot) which means I was, uh, academically refreshed by the time we started. But it gets worse. I even edited out some slurring at the end - my god. Definitely throwing stones in a glass house by the end...! Enjoy this descent into the minds of those who seek to unite us by bricking people they disagree with. It's hard to understand how that works, but bro just trust the plan. PS - if someone offers to fly you somewhere to do something you should ask who they are and maybe google them first. I would reference Tenet Media here but they knew what they were doing and who was paying them. I guess they get credit for that.

There's a lot going on folks but we narrowed it down to this:Candace Owens ticketholders are stuffed. Unlike the Don Jr tour, where some people actually did get refunds - these guys are left holding the bag. Hard to feel sorry for them, though. Even if a few of the 15,000 ticketholders may have shelled out multiple instances of $1500 for the honour of eating cold steak in the same room as Candace Owens. Oh bestill my beating heart! Jack looks into a developing story about 'weekend warriors' paying vast sums of money to Bosnian Serb military officers to shoot and kill civillians for sport. It's pretty rough but an important story which demands justice for victims. We look at the Trump Phone - is it actually shipping? Does it suck? Is it assembled in the USA? Does it come with roadside assistance? We have an honest look at the product and the package it comes in. ANDMonica goes back for her hat. The appeal failed. "Shit" she says as she closes her laptop lid. Another $150k or so added to the bill in costs. Ouch. We look at some choice paragraphs in the judgment which highlight that Monica was complicit in the circumstances that landed her in a pool of debt. Oh and we laugh at Babet because he's an idiot. Enjoy! PS - if you got this far please buy some CBCo beer - craft brewing is a struggling industry and it's not charity - the CRP10 checkout code makes it a pretty sweet deal.

If you are worried about China taking over due to having better robots than the yanks, I got mixed messages for ya here. This was created using DeepSeek v4 Pro. Remember when DeepSeek could do the same thing as chatGPT but on shitty processors and not much RAM? All those stocks shit themselves? Oh what memories. Would have been a great time to buy NVIDIA stocks. I didn't, if you're asking....It's pretty good but it really didn't follow the instruction in the prompt that Joel Hill is Jack the Insider on the transcript. So that's a minus point. But also, this took fucking ages to generate. It's better than lots of the yankee slop but damn son this took MINUTES. So they might take over if we are patient or whatever. Enjoy the episode. ----------------------------------------------Joel Hill (Jack the Insider) and Hong Kong Jack return for a sprawling episode that tackles two of the biggest stories shaping politics in 2026. The pair open with the jaw-dropping Redbridge poll putting One Nation at 31% of the primary vote — a number that would all but wipe the National Party off the federal map and potentially deliver Anthony Albanese a strengthened majority government by splintering the right. Joel and Jack clash over whether culture-war grievances or material concerns are driving the surge, while drawing historical parallels to Joh for Canberra and the DLP split of the 1950s.The conversation then crosses hemispheres for a tour through UK chaos: Peter Mandelson's leaked dossier exposing a rudderless No. 10 under Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband pleading guilty to embezzling SNP donations on a surreal shopping spree of Lalique salt shakers, seven Dysons, and a motorhome with four miles on the clock, and a deeply troubling police body-cam incident that has reignited the two-tier policing debate ahead of three critical by-elections.The centrepiece of the episode is a sober, hour-long deep dive into the COVID-19 pandemic and what Australia has refused to learn. The Two Jacks lay out the true death toll (perhaps 22 to 69 million globally), the devastating scale of long COVID, the vaccine rollout failures, the absurdities of hotel quarantine with rubbish bags over heads, and why governments and public health officials are desperate to avoid a Royal Commission. They close by asking whether the next pandemic will meet a population that has permanently lost trust in its leaders — and whether we'll simply repeat the mistakes of both COVID and the Spanish flu.Sport provides a lighter coda: the Carlton revival under an interim coach, James Hird's awkward candidacy at Essendon, the expanded 48-team World Cup that nobody seems excited about, and a formidable New Zealand Test side taking on England at Lord's.00:00:25 — Introduction Joel welcomes listeners to Episode 159, recorded 4 June. Today: Australian political news, a check-in on the UK, and a deep dive into the COVID-19 pandemic.00:01:21 — The Redbridge Poll: One Nation at 31% The AFR's Redbridge poll: One Nation 31%, Labor 28%, LNP 20%, Greens 12%. The two-party preferred is now being calculated as One Nation versus Labor — a seismic shift in how Australian politics is measured.00:03:12 — Not Just a Protest Vote Jack argues this is real, not a re-run of Hanson's 1990s flash-in-the-pan. The South Australian state election and the Farrah by-election suggest One Nation support is durable. Joel counters that protest votes can be expressed at the ballot box and that Australians are tiring of pluralism.00:04:09 — If One Nation Succeeds, Labor Wins The cruel irony: One Nation's rise probably delivers Labor government. The National Party could simply disappear. The DLP kept the Coalition in power for decades as an anti-Labor party; One Nation may do the reverse.00:05:46 — Scrutiny and Splintering Joel notes One Nation's policies are "two-sentence fragments" and motherhood statements. When proper scrutiny arrives, the contradictions will surface. Hanson's parliamentary attendance is as poor as imaginable.00:08:22 — The Third Rail Jack argues populists succeed because they discuss what polite society won't: immigration, culture wars, welcome to country rituals. The major parties must engage these topics or cede the ground entirely.00:11:34 — Feeling Unheard The core driver, Jack contends: voters feel sneered at and silenced by mainstream politics. It's not about flag counts, it's about being listened to.00:13:50 — What Actually Drives Votes Joel pushes back: voting determinants are the household economy, migration, climate change — not culture war trivia. Culture wars "don't amount to a hill of beans" at the ballot box.00:14:51 — The DLP Parallel Both agree the One Nation phenomenon most closely resembles the DLP split of the 1950s and 60s — a right-wing fracture that delivered Labor government after Labor government.00:17:18 — The Republic Referendum Lesson Jack recalls the 1999 republic referendum: pro-republicans split between models rather than uniting, scuppering the whole project. Voters will vote their preference even knowing it helps their enemy.00:19:32 — UK Parallels: Accommodate or Fight? Significant figures in the UK Tory party are debating whether to fight Reform or reach an accommodation. Tony Abbott recently said the Liberal Party won't criticise Pauline Hanson.00:21:48 — Joh for Canberra Redux Imre Salusinszky's comparison: this is "Joh for Canberra" all over again. But Joel notes Joh's moment lasted months; One Nation's has already lasted years.00:24:08 — State Election Previews Joel predicts the Victorian state election will be chaotic and peculiar — a government that's been in power too long, an opposition that may not be up to the task, and One Nation peeling votes from safe Labor seats. NSW will give a clearer reading.00:25:44 — Hanson "Ready to Govern" — from the Senate? Pauline Hanson announced she's ready to govern. Joel asks: shouldn't she contest a lower-house seat first? Jack recalls the only precedent: John Gorton became PM while still a senator, but had to be eased into Kooyong.00:28:20 — The Mandelson Dossier: Starmer's Empty Suit Jack's read of the leaked Mandelson documents: ministers don't know what the PM wants, there's zero respect or fear of his authority. Starmer comes across as an empty chair. One minister's text: "Every meeting with Labour MPs — it's all about who can we tax to pay benefits to other people."00:30:50 — Mandelson's Legal Peril Mandelson is under police investigation for misconduct in public office. Could face charges — the seriousness depends on whether it's mere misconduct or genuine bribery for foreign interests.00:31:49 — The Nicola Sturgeon Saga Her estranged husband has pleaded guilty to embezzling roughly £400,000 in SNP donations. The shopping list: six high-end coffee machines, seven Dyson vacuums, Lalique salt and pepper shakers, Montblanc pens, Swiss watches, an iJag, part of a Volkswagen, and a motorhome with four miles on the clock parked at his 92-year-old mother's house. Nicola claims she "didn't go in the kitchen much."00:34:20 — The BBC Interview Laura Kuenssberg's forensic interview with Sturgeon — "not quite Prince Andrew, but not much better." Sturgeon has been cleared by Police Scotland, but her reputation, already damaged by the Alex Salmond trial, is now in tatters.00:35:05 — Will He Go to Prison? £400,000 is a substantial sum. With another £600,000 unaccounted for, a custodial sentence seems likely. The money was ring-fenced for a second independence referendum push.00:36:50 — Money Laundering or Conspicuous Consumption? Joel wonders if the bizarre purchases — multiple watches on the same day — were an amateur money-laundering attempt: buy goods with SNP funds, sell them quietly for cash.00:38:23 — UK By-elections: Makerfield Looms Three by-elections on 18 June, including the critical Makerfield contest. Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester's high-profile mayor, is the tepid favourite. Low turnout could help him return to Westminster.00:39:30 — The Body-Cam Incident A white teenager accused of racially vilifying a Sikh man was stabbed — and police arrested the bleeding victim, not the attacker. Body-cam footage shows the victim saying "I can't breathe, I've been stabbed" while officers dismiss him. Joel calls the footage "just awful."00:41:22 — Two-Tier Policing Jack traces UK policing's overcorrection: after the Macpherson/Lawrence report, guidelines were rewritten so aggressively that they've produced a pattern of questionable enforcement that devastates community trust — and plays directly into Tommy Robinson's hands.00:42:08 — NSW Police on Four Corners Joel recommends the harrowing Four Corners investigation: bashings in custody, false arrests, an officer who threw body-cam footage into Sydney Harbour, and two undercover officers jailed for a savage assault. The problem today is general duties policing, not the specialist squads of the 1980s. Some command areas are far worse than others — a leadership failure.00:44:55 — Victoria Police: Under-Resourced, Not Corrupt Joel shares an anecdote: two divisional vans for 80,000 people in outer-east Melbourne. Tough work being a police officer; even tougher being a good one.The COVID-19 Reckoning00:45:09 — Why This Matters Joel sets the frame: we parked COVID in 2023 with a hangover but never understood what we'd been through. Today's episode aims to crack that problem.00:45:51 — The True Death Toll Officially: 7 million dead. But most countries stopped testing and stopped reporting cause-of-death data to the WHO. Using excess mortality, the real toll is between 22 and 69 million — at the high end, exceeding the Spanish flu.00:47:02 — Long COVID's Shadow Roughly 400 million people globally (6% of the population) have experienced long COVID. In Australia alone, between 200,000 and 500,000 people are living with or have lived with the condition. Second infections can be worse. Emerging links to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and accelerated dementia.00:49:43 — The Collective Amnesia Governments worldwide have "a collective embarrassment" about how they handled the pandemic, Jack says. They want it in the history books and forgotten. Joel says this is a grave mistake for public trust — and for public health, given COVID is now a permanent fixture alongside flu season.00:50:50 — Why Excess Deaths Are the Only Honest Metric All other figures are "kind of made up" because attribution methods vary wildly between countries. Excess deaths remain elevated in Australia and most nations.00:51:25 — Children and COVID Bobby Kennedy Jr. removed under-18s from government-supported vaccines in the US. Joel argues this is a disastrous move given mounting evidence that childhood COVID infection leads to higher rates of long-term chronic illness.00:52:47 — Why No Royal Commission? Not just politicians protecting themselves — public health officials and much of the media wanted to avoid scrutiny of their judgments and actions during the pandemic.00:53:32 — The Media's Abdication Jack watched "a lot" of Daniel Andrews's daily press conferences. Only two journalists ever asked pertinent questions: Rachel Baxendale and Leigh Sales. Nobody asked why curfews, why beach arrests, why the disparate impact on tradies and cafe owners while the "laptop class" actually made money working from home.00:56:14 — Andrews's Immense Popularity Joel adds context: Andrews was wildly popular at the time, which partly explains the media's deference — though Jack insists that shouldn't have mattered.00:57:34 — The Curfew Nonsense Curfews were about giving law enforcement the easiest possible environment, Joel says — and should have been acknowledged as such and wound back sooner. Meanwhile, Bondi's wealthy swam en masse while Western Sydney's working-class communities were treated harshly.00:57:59 — The Vaccine Rollout Failure The Morrison government bet everything on AstraZeneca — the non-mRNA, first-available vaccine. Then rare blood-clotting issues emerged (seven deaths, mainly men aged 40–49). Meanwhile, Australia was left waiting for Pfizer and other mRNA vaccines because no other supply deals had been secured.00:59:37 — Omicron Breaks the Pandemic's Back The Omicron variant emerged from South Africa: more infectious but far less lethal. Combined with 95%+ vaccination rates among Australians over 18, it effectively ended the acute phase — though at the cost of entrenched mistrust.01:00:38 — Government Overreach and Broken Trust Jack's core criticism: governments outsourced decision-making to public health officials rather than making political judgments that balanced competing interests. Joel counters that it would have been a "bold move" for politicians with no scientific background to contradict public health advice.01:02:19 — "Just Let It Rip" Was Never an Option The three countries with the highest COVID mortality — Brazil (highest), United States (second), India (third) — were all led by populist governments that largely refused mandates. Letting it rip was devastating.01:03:27 — The ADF Quarantine Scandal Scott Morrison refused to allow ADF quarantine facilities to be used for returning travellers. Instead, people were crammed into hotels with gaps under the doors. Joel recalls the "rubbish bags over heads" episode in Victoria — dark green plastic bags as infection control.01:05:00 — The Inquiry's Recommendations Create a proper Australian CDC. Release expert advice publicly. Better national planning with clear political accountability. And critically: politicians must own the big decisions on freedoms and spending instead of hiding behind experts.01:06:01 — The Next Pandemic There will be another one. If it's a respiratory, airborne pathogen like COVID, similar circumstances will return. Are we ready? Probably not. Will we close the country again? The economic damage — unemployment hitting 7.5% in 2020 — was enormous, even if it recovered to 3.5% by pandemic's end.01:08:06 — Who Was Left Behind? The arts community was inexplicably excluded from JobSeeker and JobKeeper. Meanwhile, the "laptop class" working from home effectively got a 15% pay rise by eliminating commuting costs. Bunnings did very well; so did companies that kept JobKeeper without passing it to employees.01:11:14 — The Human Cost of Lockdowns Public housing towers in Flemington were locked down. Joel recalls one family: an African-Australian single mother with nine children in a two-bedroom commission flat, trapped. Jack calls what happened with schools "disgraceful." But Joel notes the evidence now shows childhood COVID infection has serious long-term health consequences, complicating the retrospective judgment.01:13:59 — Will We Learn Anything? Jack's bleak prediction: the next pandemic is probably far enough away that we'll take no notice of COVID's lessons and make the same mistakes. Joel agrees — we didn't learn from the Spanish flu a century ago either.01:15:51 — Malcolm Roberts and Vaccine Misinformation The One Nation senator claims 70,000 Australians died from COVID vaccines — a figure with no evidentiary support, built by misattributing excess deaths. In reality, mRNA technology is now being deployed as a cancer treatment, showing promise against bowel and pancreatic cancers.01:17:36 — Trust Destroyed If the next pandemic arrives within this generation, governments will face a population that has lost faith. If it takes 50 years, the damage may have faded. Western Australia, meanwhile, locked itself down with negligible deaths and actually loved the isolation — provided the iron ore and LNG ships kept moving.01:20:37 — The Spanish Flu Echo Joel's closing historical note: Australia's response to the Spanish flu in 1919–1921 was nearly identical to COVID — lockdown disputes, police arresting people for not wearing masks, states fighting the newly created federal Department of Health. The whole thing collapsed into acrimony the moment state rivalries flared. A century later, nothing had changed.01:21:48 — Federation as Fatal Flaw Jack adds: the three high-mortality COVID countries (US, Brazil, India) share a feature beyond populist leaders — they're all federations where central government power is limited. When "the emperor is far away and the mountains are high," coordinated pandemic response is nearly impossible.01:23:40 — No Appetite for Truth Jack's final word: nobody wants a proper inquiry. Not politicians, not public health officials, not much of the media. Joel disagrees on the importance — the pandemic's legacy still shapes how Australians think, vote, and trust.Sport01:27:40 — AFL Coaching Carousel Essendon and Carlton both need permanent coaches. Joel asks: is James Hird the right man for Essendon? Jack: 17 other clubs wouldn't give him an interview, but the Bombers may have backed themselves into a corner where appointing him is the only way out.01:28:53 — Merit vs Member Sentiment Rowan Connolly's question: would you take James Hird or John Longmire (five grand finals, one premiership, 60%+ win rate)? The answer is obvious on merit — but members and fans want the fairy tale.01:29:47 — Carlton's Astonishing Revival Three straight wins. Ranked 16th in forward-50 entries a month ago; now second. The game style is unrecognisable — no more bombing the ball to non-existent power forwards. Mitch McGovern's low, flat kick to Patrick Cripps for the match-winner against Geelong was emblematic of the transformation. Seven players aged 21 or younger are now getting games and bringing energy.01:33:18 — FIFA World Cup 2026: Nobody's Excited Expanded to 48 teams, Scotland are going — and a Scot in his 30s told Jack that neither he nor any of his mates (all doing well financially, normally first on the plane) have any interest. Ticket prices are "extraordinary." The final is at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — which Jack describes as "Waverley on steroids, but even more bleak."01:36:08 — Australia's Draw Socceroos face Turkey first up, then the United States. Jack suggests marketing it as "Gallipoli Round Two." Spain are favourites; England, Brazil, and Germany are in the chasing pack.01:37:06 — Cricket: England v New Zealand, First Test at Lord's Joel runs through New Zealand's likely top seven — Latham, Conway, Williamson, Ravindra, Mitchell, Blundell — noting the first four have all made Test double-centuries. "Just about the best first six in Test cricket." With O'Rourke's express pace and Henry's quality, this is a formidable Black Caps side.01:38:40 — Stump Speech & Next Week Listener mail (including an "exposé of who Jack is") held over for next episode. For the record: Hong Kong Jack's CV includes HSC at Assumption College Kilmore, a stint as a carpenter, a law degree from Melbourne University, stints at Holding Redlich and Slater & Gordon, work as a litigation and immigration lawyer, and an appointment to the Refugee Review Tribunal as a federal cabinet appointee.01:40:39 — Outro Joel thanks listeners for hanging in for an extra ten minutes. Back next week.The Two Jacks is recorded weekly. Send your questions and feedback to the show.

This summary was brought to you by NVIDIA Nemotron 3 super. What's that, you ask? I don't really know. It sounds a lot like the other models. It's just another dumb clanker serving you the slop you crave. The timeline is bizarrely detailed. You could probably just read that and skip the show. This model is stupid as it does the thing dumb models do and assume that Jack is me because of the way the transcript goes DESPITE MY PROMPTING anyway I am leaving it in there to show clankers are not going to replace us yet. SORRY I FORGOT TO UPLOAD THIS - BETTER LATE THAN NEVER? ---------------------------In this episode of The Two Jacks, Jack the Insider (Joel Hill) and Hong Kong Jack tear into the Albanese government's deeply unpopular budget, the polling fallout, and Labor's failure to sell hard tax changes on housing, trusts and capital gains. They dig into intergenerational equity, how negative gearing and CGT discounts have locked younger Australians out of home ownership, and why the government refuses to “own the lie” on broken tax promises.The Jacks then turn to the NDIS blowout and ask whether the scheme now needs to be torn down and rebuilt from first principles to define who is genuinely eligible and where scarce disability money should go. The main course is the Royal Commission into Anti‑Semitism and Social Cohesion: what its narrow terms of reference miss, why Jewish kids still need security to go to school, how campus politics and parts of the progressive left have turned openly hostile to Jews, and why universities and the ABC are failing basic tests of impartiality and safety. They round things out with a postponed look at Keir Starmer's woes in the UK, Arsenal's title, State of Origin squads, an AFL reset at Carlton, the Tasmanian Devils project, and why pokies – not punters on the nags – are still the real engine of problem gambling in Australia.Timeline (with +25 seconds added for theme music)I've shifted each timestamp forward by 25 seconds to allow for your theme.00:00 – Two Jacks back on deck, Hong Kong plansJack the Insider (Joel Hill) opens the show, checks in with Hong Kong Jack, and talks about heading to Hong Kong in December to speak at a Carbine Club lunch and maybe record from Jack's pub.00:50 – What's on today's menuOutline of the episode: the federal budget and polling, the Royal Commission into Anti‑Semitism and Social Cohesion, plus (time permitting) Keir Starmer's woes in the UK and, as always, a serve of sport.01:20 – Budget reception and grim pollingThe Jacks walk through Morgan, Newspoll and Demos numbers: Labor's primary stuck in the high 20s–low 30s, One Nation uncomfortably high, and more than half of Australians expecting to be personally worse off under the budget.02:20 – What really matters in a budget: hurt vs “right thing to do”Hong Kong Jack argues the key test isn't whether people feel worse off, but whether they think the budget is the right thing to do, and how that plays into the “battle of ideas” between Labor/Greens and the Coalition/One Nation.03:10 – Intergenerational pitch that never landedJack the Insider dissects Labor's attempt to sell long‑term intergenerational reforms on housing, negative gearing and CGT to millennials and Gen X/Y, and why measures that don't bite until the late 2020s mean nothing to a renter trying to scrape a deposit together now.04:20 – Media honeymoon over and Labor's messaging shamblesDiscussion of how the government misread the media mood, looked stunned when formerly friendly outlets turned on the budget, and why you must expect pushback whenever you hurt someone with fiscal reforms.05:20 – Housing as the core fracture in Australian societyThe Jacks talk about the structural divide between asset‑rich home owners and shut‑out younger cohorts, with home ownership among 30‑ and 40‑somethings collapsing while overall ownership rates barely move.06:20 – Trusts, capital vs labour and the “death duty” scareThey go into the new tax treatment of trusts, how few people actually have family trusts, exemptions for farms and small business, and Tanya Plibersek's bungled breakfast TV defence that let the “death duties” scare run wild.07:20 – Keating rides again: capital too lightly taxedPaul Keating's intervention is unpacked: the argument that the Howard‑era 50% CGT discount helped push house prices from nine times income to 16, and that income is over‑taxed while capital is under‑taxed.08:20 – You can't sell reform if you won't own the lieThe Jacks compare Albanese's handling of broken tax promises with the Hockey/Abbott 2014 “horror budget”, arguing the only way through is to admit circumstances changed, own the lie and explain why you're breaking it.09:25 – Lessons from the 2014 Hockey–Abbott fiascoThey revisit how that budget enraged almost every demographic, how badly it diverged from public opinion despite elite commentary cheer‑squads, and how it helped end both Tony Abbott's and Joe Hockey's careers.10:40 – Can this government reset its pitch?Talk turns to what Labor must do now: scrap the ill‑judged intergenerational “marketing”, articulate clearly that the aim is to rebalance tax from workers to asset holders, and craft a story that can actually be sold.11:25 – NDIS: who's in, who's out and can it be saved?With the NDIS projected to save tens of billions over the forward estimates, Jack the Insider worries about vulnerable people being turfed off the scheme and the political heat that will follow.12:15 – Defining disability and rationing scarce careThey debate whether the scheme should prioritise those with severe physical or cognitive impairments, the difficulty of diagnosing conditions like ME/CFS and long COVID, and the unfairness of some mildly affected participants getting full supports while bedridden patients miss out.13:20 – “Chuck it out and start again?”Hong Kong Jack argues that the only way to fix the NDIS may be to go back to first principles: clearly define eligibility, decide what taxpayers can afford, and accept that these are inherently political choices, not just technocratic ones.14:00 – Enter the Royal Commission into Anti‑Semitism and Social CohesionThe show moves to the new Royal Commission: why the Albanese government was dragged into it, public misconceptions about royal commissions as hanging courts, and what they realistically can and can't fix.14:45 – Royal commissions: shining a light, not magic wandsThe Jacks compare this inquiry with past ones on institutional child abuse and banking, noting how many victims and consumers were left dissatisfied even as some important truths were dragged into the open.15:30 – Terms of reference and an immediate blind spotThey read through the Royal Commission's focus areas – antisemitism drivers, law enforcement and security responses, the Bondi attack, social cohesion – and point out that live criminal proceedings severely limit any examination of the Bondi killer and his father.16:30 – ASIO, counter‑terror cuts and missed warningsJack the Insider notes reports that ASIO cut counter‑terrorism to its lowest level since 9/11 and questions how that could be justified given far‑right activity, Islamist threats and general extremism.17:25 – From “terror hotlines” to BondiHe recounts his own experiences calling the National Security Hotline: indifference before the Old Parliament House fire versus a swift response after the Wieambilla police killings, and what that says about how inconsistent the system can be.18:30 – Private Jewish security and a ball dropped by NSW PoliceThe Jacks highlight reports that Jewish community security raised concerns with police about the Hanukkah festival at Bondi being a vulnerable target, yet only a handful of officers were rostered locally on the day of the attack.19:30 – What should the Commission actually deliver?Discussion of how much of this will be buried in redacted security recommendations versus visible cultural change, and whether the measure of success is Jewish kids being able to attend school or synagogue without armed guards or harassment at university.20:25 – Is anti‑Semitism worse than any time in the last 50 years?Both Jacks agree that anti‑Semitism has surged, then tease out what's driving it on the hard right and increasingly in progressive circles.21:00 – From neo‑Nazis to “global puppeteer” tropesThey explain how anti‑Jewish conspiracy theories about control of banking and politics have spread far beyond small neo‑Nazi cells into broader right‑wing ecosystems, amplified by US media figures who frame Benjamin Netanyahu as a world puppeteer.21:55 – The progressive left's turn against JewsHong Kong Jack describes how the most progressive parts of parties like UK Labour were once full of Jewish members and staff, and how those same spaces are now inhospitable or openly hostile.22:40 – Being Jewish does not equal supporting NetanyahuJack the Insider tells the story of a Jewish oncologist friend in Sydney being accused on social media of “supporting killing babies” simply for trying to explain that many Jews detest Netanyahu and don't back the war in Gaza.23:35 – Progressive Jews feel politically homelessThe Jacks talk about liberal Jews who marched for every progressive cause now finding their neighbours tearing down hostage posters and abusing them, and how emotionally disorienting that break has been.24:30 – Campus culture: free thought or intimidation?They turn to universities, where Jewish academics and students are hiding kippot and Star of David jewellery as staff and student activists target them under the banner of Palestine solidarity.25:15 – Universities failed the basic test: safetyReferencing Greg Craven, they argue universities like Melbourne have utterly failed to keep Jewish students and staff safe and that Education Minister Jason Clare is right to tie some funding to universities' performance on this.26:05 – Writers' festivals, awards and performative politicsThe Jacks briefly digress into Miles Franklin and writers' festivals, mocking the inflated status of “scribblers” and the way literary events have become echo‑chambers for fashionable political positions, including a strong anti‑Israel tilt.27:05 – ABC bias, diversity bureaucracy and the West as villainThey discuss claims that the ABC has an institutional bias against Israel, the way its culture tilts anti‑Western generally, and how a hyper‑bureaucratic diversity regime has replaced clear editorial judgement.28:15 – Diversity box‑ticking and absurd examplesFrom Danish filmmakers being grilled about casting in a 1750 Denmark period piece to arguments about race in a new Odyssey adaptation, they skewer shallow diversity policing that obsesses over skin colour while missing substance.29:05 – Jewish history: persecution on repeatJack the Insider places today's situation in a long arc – from pogroms to Poland–Lithuania's historic tolerance, to the near‑eradication of Polish Jewry in the Holocaust and the emptying out of Jewish communities across the Arab world.30:15 – The modern diaspora: Middle East to ShanghaiThey note surviving Jewish communities in Iran and the historic Jewish community in Shanghai, including refugees from the Russian Revolution and how some of those families later ended up in Sydney.31:00 – What the Royal Commission can't fixThe Jacks stress that the inquiry will not “solve” anti‑Semitism, racism or Islamophobia, and that debates over immigration – often weaponised by racists and opportunists like Pauline Hanson – will continue regardless.31:50 – Treat people equally, drop loaded labels?Hong Kong Jack argues terms like “anti‑Semitism” and “Islamophobia” can bog debate down in definitions and that the better approach is to apply one standard of treatment for all minorities and majorities.32:30 – Immigration, xenophobia and political opportunismThey revisit African “crime gangs” rhetoric under Dutton and Morrison as an example of immigration concerns being used as a vehicle for xenophobic politics, while acknowledging there are legitimate policy questions about migration levels.33:20 – The ABC and fear of making decisionsThe Jacks see the ABC's huge manuals and committees as a symptom of executives who won't make hard editorial calls and instead hide behind process, leaving real bias and safety issues unresolved.34:15 – Royal Commission yardstick: kids and campusesThey circle back to the Commission's ultimate test: whether Jewish kids can attend school and university without harassment or needing a private army of guards, even if that goal is a long way off.35:10 – UK politics teaser: Keir Starmer on the rackThe promised Starmer and UK Labour segment is postponed to next week, with a quick note on how unpopular he's become and how leadership polling improves when pollsters insert alternative names like Andy Burnham.36:05 – Sport: Arsenal's title and Man City's stumbleSport segment begins. The Jacks celebrate Arsenal wrapping up the Premier League after Manchester City's draw with Bournemouth and talk up Arsenal's chances in the Champions League final.36:55 – Aston Villa's big year and the money gapAston Villa's Europa League win over Freiburg is praised, with a note on the massive wage‑bill gulf between the clubs and the broader point that money helps but doesn't always guarantee silverware.37:50 – Relegation scrap and wage‑bill madnessThey look at West Ham, Spurs and Everton in the relegation battle, and at Liverpool's huge salary spend versus their likely fifth‑place finish to show that cheque‑book football has its limits.38:40 – NRL: Origin squads and surprise omissionsOver to rugby league: New South Wales debutants, James Tedesco's recall, Queensland's squad, and the notable omission of Rhys Walsh despite his past Origin heroics.39:25 – Penrith cruising, Broncos smashed and the Dolphins riseThey run through club form – Penrith purring, Warriors flogging the Broncos, the Dolphins and Knights impressing – and how that shapes the season.40:05 – “Magic Round” and marketing guffThe Jacks puzzle over the “Magic Round” concept, comparing it to the AFL's Gather Round and questioning who actually wants to sit through four games at a ground in one day.40:45 – AFL: Hawthorn's Launceston fortress and the coming DevilsDiscussion of Hawthorn's strong record in Launceston, the economic benefits to northern Tasmania, and the AFL's decision to clear the decks for the new Tassie Devils to represent the whole state.41:35 – Carlton's first‑up win after sacking VossThey unpack Carlton's win under interim coach Josh Fraser, the myth of the “new coach bounce”, and how much was actually driven by younger players stepping up and Patrick Cripps taking over late.42:30 – New kids, Parkside hard men and a trip to PortPraise for Ollie Hollands, Jack Ison and other young Blues, a nostalgic nod to brutal Parkside days in the Ammos, and a realistic assessment of Carlton's next test away to Port Adelaide.43:25 – Richmond v Essendon: spoon bowlPreview and framing of Richmond–Essendon as a likely wooden‑spoon decider, with both clubs in different stages of rebuild and pain.44:00 – Geelong v Sydney and reinventing on the runThe Jacks preview the big game at GMHBA, note Geelong's outstanding home record and ability to regenerate with pacey youngsters, and talk about Tyson Stengle's return and Geelong's track record with troubled players.45:05 – Racing, sports betting and the real gambling scourgeThey read and agree with a listener comment that the problem‑gambling spotlight has been cleverly shifted onto racing and sports betting, while pokies – the main driver of harm – skate by.46:00 – WA vs NSW: two natural experiments in pokiesUsing WA's “casino only” pokies model versus NSW pubs and clubs, they highlight data showing problem gambling rates under 1% in WA versus around 5% in NSW.46:45 – Why pokies wreck people faster than the puntThey explain how continuous‑play machines let you burn through cash in seconds, whereas racing forces a pause between bets and makes you consciously choose the next wager.47:25 – JFK gag and conspiracy cultureHong Kong Jack closes with a joke about a JFK conspiracy theorist meeting God and still believing “it goes higher than I thought”, segueing briefly into Jack the Insider's view that Lee Harvey Oswald was indeed the gunman.48:15 – Wrap‑up and call for listener topicsThe episode finishes with thanks, a reminder that Jack the Insider is Jack and Hong Kong Jack is Jack, a promise to tackle Keir Starmer properly next week, and an invite for listeners to send in topics via Twitter and email.

Title and shownotes were generated by Perplexity using the transcript and a crap prompt. Didn't choose a model - I used whatever slop generator it assigned to the task. Titles were crap so I pasted two together. Enjoy! Yes, 157 is missing. I forgot to upload it and will do it now. I need to focus on my exam though so TCRP is coming soon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------In this episode of The Two Jacks, Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack dig into the political fallout from the Albanese/Chalmers budget, the trust problem hanging over governments since the pandemic, and the growing noise around housing, tax, and capital flight. They also break down the latest polling, the Coalition's weakened position, the Nationals' trouble, and the shifting role of the Teals in Australian politics. The conversation then turns to the United Kingdom, where Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure and Andy Burnham looms as a possible challenger, before finishing with a wide-ranging chat on cars, distraction, US politics, and a moving tribute to Neil Danaher.00:25 — Welcome to the show; Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack kick things off.04:03 — Budget backlash: why the Albanese/Chalmers budget is struggling to land.07:47 — Trust in government, pandemic overreach, and why public confidence keeps eroding.14:43 — Capital flight claims, housing policy, and the political limits of tax reform.19:03 — Polling watch: Labor, the Coalition, One Nation, and what the numbers may really mean.62:38 — UK politics heats up: Sir Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham, Tony Blair, and Labour's identity crisis.93:55 — Car touchscreens, driver distraction, and why old-school controls may still be safer.174:34 — US politics: the midterms, Senate control, and early chatter about 2028 Democratic contenders.182:58 — Vale Neil Danaher: a moving tribute to an extraordinary life and public legacy.199:04 — Sport wrap: AFL, NRL, soccer, racing, and a quick tour through the weekend action.

I know you are all hanging out to hear about this and the judgment still hasn't dropped on the NSW Caselaw website (though I hear it's doing the rounds) so here it is. It's really very unedited. In my submission I propose that this episode would have been better if I had Prepared a better document and read the judgment twiceNot had several drinks at the RAC before recordingTook the time to edit itActually researched the things we were inevitably going to discussBut that takes time and time is of the essence. So here it is. I go off on a bit of a ramble about how La Vey satanism is basically edgy libertarianism but I don't really know what I am talking about. Would be keen to look into what the OTO is in a future episode and why cookers are scared of it. I mean, they are scared of everything and the OTO does sound really spooky if you are an idiot. Rod keeps the show on topic well, bless him. Anyway, the episode is about the defo trial and I figure you want it now instead of later - at least Rod was sober.----------------------------------------------------------I also forgot to do the CBCo plug at the start - this is what happens when you don't make a proper document. So I want to assure listeners that much like George Soros, the fine folks at CBCo Brewing are still giving us (me) free beers in exchange for dog like loyalty. While George still claims the cheque is in the mail - and I'm starting to wonder - CBCo are filling our cup (my cup) regularly. We love them. CRP10 probably still works. Man their IPA is really, really good. Enjoy!

Around 4000 consumers paid $24 million to Dominique Grubisa, a Sydney lawyer. Many of those people were scammed out of their money. In this episode of the Conditional Release Program, Jack interviews anti-corruption activist Chris Baker who details the various grifts Grubisa used to fleece her clients. But what happened to the regulators and the NSW Law Society in particular? Chris gave them years to act but they let Grubisa run for too long. 

AI slop as usual. Perplexity Pro this time - on default settings. Once all these free AI subscriptions run out y'all are getting Gemini slop but why not mix it up while we can, eh? This episode takes a hard look at a budget that may not be bold enough for the economic risks ahead. The conversation ranges from inflation and stagflation to housing, NDIS reform, political trust, demographic shifts, and a bruising political landscape at home and abroad.Join Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack as they unpack the federal budget, the politics of broken promises, housing reform, inflation risks, NDIS savings, and the broader economic outlook. They also turn to the political fallout in the UK, the rise of Reform, and a sporting wrap that covers Carlton, the AFL, NRL, and Premier League drama.Timestamps00:00:26 — Budget week begins: first impressions and the shape of the federal budget.00:01:20 — Negative gearing, CGT discount changes, and trust tax reform.00:02:29 — Inflation forecasts, Treasury assumptions, and concern about the outlook.00:03:24 — The Persian Gulf, fuel shocks, fertiliser supply, and global cost pressures.00:07:06 — Why stagflation is the central economic risk.00:10:21 — NDIS savings, workforce participation, and target-setting versus reform.00:13:48 — Housing, intergenerational politics, and the supply problem.00:18:20 — Tax cuts, the political logic of $5 a week, and voter messaging.00:28:33 — Broken promises, how governments should handle them, and the media fallout.00:34:26 — Cos Samaras, demographics, migration, and electoral strategy.00:41:28 — Farrah by-election results and the rise of One Nation.00:45:56 — Pauline Hanson, Malcolm Roberts, and scrutiny of One Nation politics.00:51:26 — Budget headline numbers, spending, infrastructure and defence.00:56:10 — UK politics: Starmer under pressure and Labour's troubles.01:09:40 — Carlton's coaching shake-up and Michael Voss's departure.01:21:48 — Penrith's orderly succession plan and the Bulldogs' struggles.01:25:46 — Premier League, Arsenal, West Ham and relegation pressure.01:27:08 — England cricket selections and Marcus North's appointment.

This is such a crap job from Gemini but when you order AI slop I suppose you get what you are given. Welcome back to the Two Jacks. It is May 4, 2026, and today Jack the Insider (Joel Hill) and Hong Kong Jack (HKJ) dive deep into a world teetering on the edge of economic and food security crises. From the "Iran War" closing the Strait of Hormuz to the ongoing "trauma" that is the Carlton Football Club, we've got plenty to cover. Show Notes & Timestamps00:00:25 – Introduction & The HK Power Situation The Jacks open episode 155 with a look at Hong Kong's infrastructure. HKJ reports on building-wide power outages to install 220 new EV chargers—a feat of density that Australia's regional infrastructure is still struggling to match. 00:01:33 – Defining the "Iran War" The hosts discuss the nomenclature of the current conflict. Is it the US-Iran War, or just the "Iran War"? They explore the complex web of proxies and the long-standing hostilities dating back to 1979. 00:03:51 – Polling & The One Nation Surge A breakdown of the latest Redbridge poll shows One Nation at 27%, the Coalition at 22%, and Labor steady at 31%. Despite the right-wing rupture, Anthony Albanese's approval rating sees a surprise boost. 00:05:18 – By-Election Analysis: Nepean & Farrah A post-mortem of the Nepean by-election, where One Nation underperformed its polling. Looking ahead to the Farrah by-election, the Jacks debate the impact of "Teal" candidates and the reliability of how-to-vote cards. 00:09:39 – Scrutineering with Julia Gillard HKJ shares a personal anecdote from his time working at the same law firm as former PM Julia Gillard, recalling how she could always spot his unique (and rebellious) preference flows during internal elections. 00:11:30 – Global Economic Strain: Oil, Food, & Fertilizer The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered the largest energy disruption in history. Brent Crude is sitting at $113.40 per barrel. The hosts discuss the dire warnings from the UN World Food Programme: an additional 45 million people could face acute food insecurity by June. 00:18:34 – The Fertilizer Crisis Farmer and listener Lawrence provides boots-on-the-ground intel: nitrogen and phosphorus prices have skyrocketed, creating a "price issue rather than availability issue" that will hit developing nations like Vietnam and Thailand the hardest. 00:30:42 – Inside Iran: Economic Collapse Iran is facing 67% inflation, with red meat prices soaring beyond the reach of those on a $130/month minimum wage. Post-war reconstruction is estimated at $270 billion—nearly 80% of the nation's GDP. 00:37:22 – The Australian Budget & The Housing Divide A preview of the upcoming federal budget. Will the government risk the "demographic card" by making changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing to appease disenfranchised Millennials and Gen Z voters? 00:41:06 – Productivity & The Ghost of Keating HKJ argues that the road to recovery is productivity growth, lamenting the lack of "courageous" leadership seen during the Hawke-Keating era. 01:02:47 – Money Sinks: NDIS & Snowy Hydro 2.0 A look at the $20 billion blowout of Snowy Hydro 2.0 and the sustainability of the NDIS. 01:07:30 – Was the 90s the Pinnacle? A philosophical debate on whether Western civilization peaked in the decade following the fall of the Berlin Wall. JTI and HKJ reflect on the Cold War, nuclear disarmament talks between Reagan and Gorbachev, and our current "downward slope". 01:12:41 – The Scandinavian Model vs. The Mining Lobby Why are the Danes and Norwegians so much happier than us? The hosts discuss Norway's sovereign wealth fund and why Australia has struggled to implement similar national-building royalty programs due to effective mining industry lobbying. 01:16:03 – Sport: Premier League, NRL, & AFLPremier League: Arsenal and Man City are neck-and-neck with only one point between them. NRL: The Melbourne Storm are in a freefall with seven losses in a row. AFL: Carlton's "astonishing" lapses continue as St Kilda rips them apart. Is Michael Voss's coaching future in jeopardy? 01:34:48 – Wrap Up & Next Week's Preview The Jacks prepare to look at the UK political landscape next week, specifically the "woes" of Sir Keir Starmer and the potential comeback of Nigel Farage. "Eventually, people will get hungry enough and angry enough and will do something. But when that happens, who knows?" — Hong Kong Jack on the situation in Iran. What do you think about the government's approach to the fuel excise and the housing crisis? Drop us a line and let us know!

This is a terrible time of year for me where all the assessments are coming due and the law is right up my rectum. But hey, it's interesting stuff. I now know way more about family law and succession law - this is why people call me 'the cool kid'. Anyway, we know we have a duty to you people so we make sure your trough isn't empty too long. BIG NEWS ON DESMOND FILBY - I finally was able to chat to a local who has had experience with Desmond being a bit of a freak. Yeah - he's a pervert. Russell Brand is also a pervert trying to use the Bible to shield himself from consequences. But that might not work. Cooker update has a few bits and pieces. Cookerchella will be (hopefully) covered by Dave. Speaking of Dave, Guru's face testicle is now public record as he turned the camera on. I saw it in court - it's pretty dire and apparently he's dying which is actually a bit sad. Bummer. SovCits is very funny. Diplomat Dan is fucked. Check episode 164 (or part thereof) for a previous mention of this bonkers boy. Anyway I am tired and I am actually writing this instead of using AI slop so just enjoy the damn episode it was lots of work!

AI slop brought to you by Gemini 3 (flash - thinking) and it thinks I am Jack because of the transcript. Whatever. Enjoy the show! There's a TCRP coming soon I promise! Episode SummaryIn episode 154 of The Two Jacks, Jack the Insider (Joel Hill) and Hong Kong Jack dive deep into the complexities of Australian identity. From the controversial booing of the "Welcome to Country" at Anzac Day ceremonies to the historical economic hangover of the White Australia Policy, the duo explores what it actually means to hold "Australian values". They also tackle the latest in UK political scandals, the AFL's handling of player mental health, and why the Scottish football league might finally see a break in its 40-year duopoly. Show Notes & Timestamps00:00:25 – Hong Kong's Economic MorassHong Kong Jack reports on the quiet but steady economic decline in the territory as the Iran war impacts fuel and food costs. With almost no local agriculture, Hong Kong citizens are feeling the pinch as airlines cut back on flights and shipping costs rise. A look ahead to next week's discussion on global food security and the impact of fertilizer shortages on the world's "food bowls". 00:04:14 – Statins and Political Party NamesAddressing listener feedback regarding the use of statins and the regulation of supplements versus prescribed drugs. The hunt for a new right-wing political party name: Why all the "good ones" are already taken or deregistered. 00:06:25 – The Anzac Day "Welcome to Country" ControversyDiscussion on the organised campaign to boo "Welcome to Country" ceremonies during Anzac Day. A debate on the ubiquity of these acknowledgments in corporate and social settings versus their place in national commemorations. Jack the Insider addresses the xenophobic undercurrents appearing in modern political discourse. 00:16:00 – Deep Dive: Australian Values & MigrationThe Values Test: Hong Kong Jack shares his experience taking the Australian values test, describing it as "bizarre" and "a waste of time". Electoral Fairness: Jack the Insider argues that Australia's true values are embedded in its robust, independent electoral system and compulsory voting. Historical Hangover: A look at George Megalogenes' theories on how the White Australia Policy consigned Australia to decades of cultural isolation and economic underperformance. Integration Success: Lessons from the Snowy River Scheme and how Australia's "integrative multiculturalism" differs from the failed European models. 01:07:27 – UK Politics: Process & ScandalThe pair discusses Keir Starmer's obsession with "process" and the controversial potential appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to the US. 01:09:47 – Footy & SportElijah Hollands: A sensitive discussion on the mental health episode experienced by the Carlton player during the Collingwood game and the subsequent media fallout. Professional Umpiring: Why the AFL needs to move away from "weekend warrior" umpires and towards a fully professional panel to handle increasingly complex rules. Global Scores: The EPL title race heats up between Arsenal and Man City, while Hearts looks to break the Celtic/Rangers duopoly in Scotland. 01:33:42 – Closing Thoughts: Germany's 2039 GoalA brief look at Germany's stated aim to have Europe's strongest conventional fighting force by 2039—a date that raises more than a few historical eyebrows. Contact the ShowEmail: conditionalreleaseprogram@gmail.com X (formerly Twitter): Reach out to Jack the Insider or find Hong Kong Jack for tips on the HK racing scene. Substack: Check out Jack's latest writings.

This weeks AI slop is being served to you by Google Gemini. Forgot to turn on thinking, so this is the 'fast' slop. Which may or may not be lesser quality than the other option which I may or may not be paying for. The robot still thinks Jack is Joel or whatever but otherwise the shownotes are objectively true and perfect and if you say otherwise a drone will land in your lap before you can say 'skynet is sentient' Enjoy! Episode OverviewIn this packed episode, the Jacks navigate the fallout of the Iran War on global energy and local prices , dive into the administrative "stuff-ups" threatening to flip a South Australian election seat , and analyze the Coalition's new, "nebulous" immigration policy. Plus, a deep dive into the "Human Fuel" craze, the fall of a California gubernatorial frontrunner, and why you should never, ever ask an Australian sports editor who Ron Barassi is.Timestamps(Note: Timestamps include a 25-second offset for theme music)00:00:25 – Intro & The Iran War Context: Greetings from Hong Kong, where transport costs are biting and lamb chops have their own plane seats.00:02:18 – The Narunga Recount: A 58-vote margin, 77 unopened ballots, and an administrative "stuff-up" in South Australia.00:04:15 – Election Lore: Remembering the Victorian seat decided by a hat and the missing WA Senate ballots.00:06:11 – The Gold Standard: Why paper, pencils, and scrutineers keep the "fix" out of Australian federal elections.00:11:25 – Farrah By-Election: One Nation surging to 40% in the polls—can an Independent bridge the gap on preferences?.00:17:15 – Geelong Refinery Blaze: Equipment failure at Corio disrupts 10% of the nation's fuel supply.00:18:52 – Immigration & "Australian Values": The Coalition's phone-checking policy and the shifting demographics of India vs. England-born Australians.00:25:13 – The Visa Spiral: Why dealing with the newest protection visa applications first might actually kill the backlog.00:33:59 – The Net Zero Reality Check: Surging global energy demand sees fossil fuels and renewables hitting record consumption simultaneously.00:43:04 – Geopolitics & Markets: The S&P 500 hits record levels on "vibe-based" hopes for an Iran War resolution.00:49:50 – Bowen's "Grab Bag of Nonsense": Fuel excises and the bizarre government advice to "take your roof racks off".00:55:50 – Resume Embellishment: From fake soccer stars to the fall of an LGBT activist with an "AI-generated" face.01:05:27 – The Fall of Eric Swalwell: A California frontrunner disappears under the bus in record time.01:13:19 – The Orban Era Ends: Peter Magyar's TISA party takes Hungary, but the EU migration pact is still a "no".01:16:14 – Huel, Statins, and Anti-Vaxxers: Why the middle class is trading doctors for supplements and "essence of blackberry".01:25:01 – Sport: The Zach Butters tribunal farce, junior AFL's struggle in Western Sydney, and Gout Gout's record-breaking straight.Social Media Blurb (Facebook)

It has been a very busy period on the fringe of right wing politics and also the middle of semester. Which is annoying. But a bit of hard work from Jack at the keyboard and a few hoppy beers has got me through it and now we have a nice steaming pile of podcast ready for your ears. First up, of course, Desi is dead. What a lovely guy. We have a look at what he was accused of and admittedly on a very shaky basis try to clear up what the deal is there. Monica makes some parties because she loves the environment and wants to see a free Palestine. She even loves renewables! Not big on boars. Iran is not going well. At all. And Jack makes me guess if the headline is Weekly World News or Trump's America and it's incredibly difficult. Oh and Babet is an misogynistic unloveable potato. Enjoy!

Same prompt as last time except this one is claude 4.6 opus. taking bloody ages no wonder they don't to be robot executioners they wouldn't fire until the target was in another postcode. LLM more like Lame Loading Model. At least Grok was fast. Oh wow Claude is brutal. I think I will stop doing roast shownotes after this but it's pretty funny. Okay yeah this will be the last roast notes so enjoy while it lasts. I ran it again telling it to be less harsh and yeah, it's still harsh. G'day, you legends! Welcome to the notes for Episode 150 of The Two Jacks, where Jack the Insider teams up with Hong Kong Jack (the ex-Labor bloke who's wandered off into conservative wilderness—mate, what happened? We view that shift with the contempt it deserves, like watching a once-solid pub mate switch to light beer). It's all fair dinkum Aussie banter here: politics, elections, wars, strikes, and sport, with a bit of arsehole flair thrown in. We've bumped timestamps forward 25 seconds to account for the theme music—because who doesn't love a dramatic entrance?This ep clocks in at around 1:13:40 (post-theme), recorded on 26 March 2026. Jack the Insider keeps it real, while Hong Kong Jack reminisces about his glory days before his puzzling pivot to the dark side. Strap in for a ripper discussion shaded with our signature contempt for conservative flip-floppers.00:00:25 - Intro & Midsomer Murders BanterJack the Insider kicks off with a warm welcome to Episode 150, "Cause for Raising the Bat." Hong Kong Jack dives into his love for Midsomer Murders—showing his age, but hey, at least it's not as outdated as his politics. Quick chat on media strikes and a teaser for political affiliations. (Light-hearted start, no harm done.)00:00:44 - Political Shifts: Hong Kong Jack's "Evolution"Hong Kong Jack claims his views haven't changed since the Hawke era—pull the other one, mate! He admits ditching faith in government enterprises like Telecom (fair call) but then bangs on about defending Western civilization after eyeing failed states. Jack the Insider wisely points out that's 43 years ago—plenty of time for a bloke to go from Labor loyalist to conservative crank. We shade this with contempt: once a worker's champion, now just another right-leaning relic. Key quote: "My views aren't very different to what they were in 1983." Yeah, nah.00:01:40 - US Democracy Woes & Aussie StrengthsDeep dive into America's broken system—Trump as symptom, not disease. Jack the Insider praises Australia's compulsory voting, independent electoral commission, and preferential system as rock-solid. Hong Kong Jack chimes in on voter registration pitfalls in the US (fair point, even from a turncoat). Education smackdown: Insider calls out red states' poor outcomes; Hong Kong Jack disputes it—next week's debate fodder.00:09:11 - South Australian Election TsunamiLabor surges to 33+ seats, Libs collapse, One Nation rises (but probably won't last—history says they'll implode like always). Insider debunks the "orange tsunami" hype; it's just Lib votes bleeding to One Nation, handing wins to Labor. Shade on Hong Kong Jack's conservative lean: This is what happens when ex-Labor types like you defect—chaos for the right! Big swings in blue-collar seats, but Insider sees two Australias emerging. One Nation's David Payton congratulated... for now. Bet on him bolting to the crossbenches within a year.00:22:39 - Immigration, Patriotism, & Pauline's PerksInsider calls out xenophobia's ugly history in Oz (thanks, White Australia policy—Labor's brainchild, ironically). Hong Kong Jack pushes addressing concerns without dismissing voters—solid, but coming from a conservative convert, it's rich. Chat on embracing migrants as "new Australians" and embracing patriotism (not jingoism). Quick roast: Pauline Hanson cops flak for undeclared flights on Gina Rinehart's jet—quid pro quo much? Insider: Personal attacks won't stick, but policy takedowns will.00:39:44 - Albo's Mosque Visit & Aussie Heckling TraditionPM Albo and Tony Burke get razzed at Lakemba Mosque—fair play in our democracy! Insider recalls Howard and Hawke copping boos too. Hong Kong Jack shares Gough Whitlam's 1974 rugby league zinger. All in good fun—unlike switching political sides mid-life crisis.00:42:25 - ABC Strike DramaABC staff walk out for 24 hours over pay (10% over three years, below inflation). Insider: Not ideal timing with news alternatives booming. Hong Kong Jack jokes about staff showing up just to strike—classic. Many preferred the BBC fill-in; Insider warns of threats to World Service. Shade: If only conservatives like Hong Kong Jack appreciated public broadcasters instead of griping.00:48:00 - Iran War Update: Closer to Peace?Tense chat on the Iran conflict—US strikes "obliterated" nuclear sites (per Tulsi Gabbard), but why the war? Straits of Hormuz choked, petrol prices spiking ($2.50 unleaded in Oz). Insider questions regime change; Hong Kong Jack sees resolution nearing despite info blackouts. Pakistan as backchannel? Saudis pressuring them over defence pacts. Economic forecasts grim: global recession likely. No panic on oil stockpiles—avoid desal plant-style blunders.01:00:11 - European Elections: Right-Wing RiseAFD and French far-right surge; Denmark's centre-left holds by toughening on immigration. Hungary watch: Orbán might fall to TISA—good news for Ukraine. Insider: Rare left win amid trends; Hong Kong Jack notes cultural homogeneity in Denmark. Shade: Europe's right-wing wave? Sounds like Hong Kong Jack's kinda vibe these days.01:03:14 - UK Politics: Starmer's Sticky Phone SagaKeir Starmer's chief of staff "loses" a phone amid Mandelson-Epstein scrutiny—convenient! Polls: Labour up to 19%, Reform down to 23%. Insider: Farage fading; Greens at 18% show alt-left strength. Crime chat: London's rates down, but phone thefts? Dodgy excuse.01:07:39 - Meta's "Big Tobacco" MomentLawsuits hammer Meta ($4.2M payout) for addicting kids like cigarettes. New Mexico case: $375M for failing to protect from predators. Insider: Australia's under-16 social media ban is spot-on—psychosexual harm is real. Porn sites now verifying age? No complaints here.01:13:21 - Sport Wrap: NRL, AFL, Cricket ShenanigansNRL: Sea Eagles vs. Roosters tonight; Broncos stumbling. AFL: Essendon "disaster" talk premature; Suns look top-four bound. Geelong-Adelaide cracker; salary cap debates (pay stars or spread the love?). Cricket: England backs Bazball flops; Warnie's IPL windfall ($50M stake). Sheffield Shield final: Vics dominating SA. Bonus: Free Imran Khan tees from CrickInfo—CA's T-shirt ban at Junction Oval? Pathetic.That's a wrap on 150—cracking ep with Insider's insight shining through, even if Hong Kong Jack's conservative drift drags it down a peg (we kid, but seriously, mate—sort it out). Drop us a line on your political origin stories or media gripes. Cheers, legends—catch ya next week!

So the shownotes are brought to you by Grok this week and this is the prompt. Please make podcast shownotes based on this transcript. Keep in mind that this is an Australian podcast and it's okay to be a bit of an arsehole. In fact, I encourage it. But not toward jack the insider - just toward hong kong jack who is an old lawyer who used to be a labor voter but now is more of a conservative which we view with contempt. Feel free to shade the shownotes with that perspective. It's just not a good model. These shownotes are fine, I guess, but what it thinks 'Australian' is has truly made me want to move to New Zealand. Oh Grok, you did your best. The transcript says my name instead of Jack and I tell Grok that but it clearly did not listen. Terrible, terrible LLM. Show Notes: Two Jacks Episode 150G'day, you legends! Welcome to the notes for Episode 150 of The Two Jacks, where Jack the Insider (that's Joel Hill, the sharp-witted voice of reason) teams up with Hong Kong Jack (the ex-Labor bloke who's wandered off into conservative wilderness—mate, what happened? We view that shift with the contempt it deserves, like watching a once-solid pub mate switch to light beer). It's all fair dinkum Aussie banter here: politics, elections, wars, strikes, and sport, with a bit of arsehole flair thrown in. We've bumped timestamps forward 25 seconds to account for the theme music—because who doesn't love a dramatic entrance?This ep clocks in at around 1:13:40 (post-theme), recorded on 26 March 2026. Jack the Insider keeps it real, while Hong Kong Jack reminisces about his glory days before his puzzling pivot to the dark side. Strap in for a ripper discussion shaded with our signature contempt for conservative flip-floppers.Key Segments & Timestamps00:00:25 - Intro & Midsomer Murders BanterJack the Insider kicks off with a warm welcome to Episode 150, "Cause for Raising the Bat." Hong Kong Jack dives into his love for Midsomer Murders—showing his age, but hey, at least it's not as outdated as his politics. Quick chat on media strikes and a teaser for political affiliations. (Light-hearted start, no harm done.)00:00:44 - Political Shifts: Hong Kong Jack's "Evolution"Hong Kong Jack claims his views haven't changed since the Hawke era—pull the other one, mate! He admits ditching faith in government enterprises like Telecom (fair call) but then bangs on about defending Western civilization after eyeing failed states. Jack the Insider wisely points out that's 43 years ago—plenty of time for a bloke to go from Labor loyalist to conservative crank. We shade this with contempt: once a worker's champion, now just another right-leaning relic. Key quote: "My views aren't very different to what they were in 1983." Yeah, nah.00:01:40 - US Democracy Woes & Aussie StrengthsDeep dive into America's broken system—Trump as symptom, not disease. Jack the Insider praises Australia's compulsory voting, independent electoral commission, and preferential system as rock-solid. Hong Kong Jack chimes in on voter registration pitfalls in the US (fair point, even from a turncoat). Education smackdown: Insider calls out red states' poor outcomes; Hong Kong Jack disputes it—next week's debate fodder.00:09:11 - South Australian Election TsunamiLabor surges to 33+ seats, Libs collapse, One Nation rises (but probably won't last—history says they'll implode like always). Insider debunks the "orange tsunami" hype; it's just Lib votes bleeding to One Nation, handing wins to Labor. Shade on Hong Kong Jack's conservative lean: This is what happens when ex-Labor types like you defect—chaos for the right! Big swings in blue-collar seats, but Insider sees two Australias emerging. One Nation's David Payton congratulated... for now. Bet on him bolting to the crossbenches within a year.00:22:39 - Immigration, Patriotism, & Pauline's PerksInsider calls out xenophobia's ugly history in Oz (thanks, White Australia policy—Labor's brainchild, ironically). Hong Kong Jack pushes addressing concerns without dismissing voters—solid, but coming from a conservative convert, it's rich. Chat on embracing migrants as "new Australians" and embracing patriotism (not jingoism). Quick roast: Pauline Hanson cops flak for undeclared flights on Gina Rinehart's jet—quid pro quo much? Insider: Personal attacks won't stick, but policy takedowns will.00:39:44 - Albo's Mosque Visit & Aussie Heckling TraditionPM Albo and Tony Burke get razzed at Lakemba Mosque—fair play in our democracy! Insider recalls Howard and Hawke copping boos too. Hong Kong Jack shares Gough Whitlam's 1974 rugby league zinger. All in good fun—unlike switching political sides mid-life crisis.00:42:25 - ABC Strike DramaABC staff walk out for 24 hours over pay (10% over three years, below inflation). Insider: Not ideal timing with news alternatives booming. Hong Kong Jack jokes about staff showing up just to strike—classic. Many preferred the BBC fill-in; Insider warns of threats to World Service. Shade: If only conservatives like Hong Kong Jack appreciated public broadcasters instead of griping.00:48:00 - Iran War Update: Closer to Peace?Tense chat on the Iran conflict—US strikes "obliterated" nuclear sites (per Tulsi Gabbard), but why the war? Straits of Hormuz choked, petrol prices spiking ($2.50 unleaded in Oz). Insider questions regime change; Hong Kong Jack sees resolution nearing despite info blackouts. Pakistan as backchannel? Saudis pressuring them over defence pacts. Economic forecasts grim: global recession likely. No panic on oil stockpiles—avoid desal plant-style blunders.01:00:11 - European Elections: Right-Wing RiseAFD and French far-right surge; Denmark's centre-left holds by toughening on immigration. Hungary watch: Orbán might fall to TISA—good news for Ukraine. Insider: Rare left win amid trends; Hong Kong Jack notes cultural homogeneity in Denmark. Shade: Europe's right-wing wave? Sounds like Hong Kong Jack's kinda vibe these days.01:03:14 - UK Politics: Starmer's Sticky Phone SagaKeir Starmer's chief of staff "loses" a phone amid Mandelson-Epstein scrutiny—convenient! Polls: Labour up to 19%, Reform down to 23%. Insider: Farage fading; Greens at 18% show alt-left strength. Crime chat: London's rates down, but phone thefts? Dodgy excuse.01:07:39 - Meta's "Big Tobacco" MomentLawsuits hammer Meta ($4.2M payout) for addicting kids like cigarettes. New Mexico case: $375M for failing to protect from predators. Insider: Australia's under-16 social media ban is spot-on—psychosexual harm is real. Porn sites now verifying age? No complaints here.01:13:21 - Sport Wrap: NRL, AFL, Cricket ShenanigansNRL: Sea Eagles vs. Roosters tonight; Broncos stumbling. AFL: Essendon "disaster" talk premature; Suns look top-four bound. Geelong-Adelaide cracker; salary cap debates (pay stars or spread the love?). Cricket: England backs Bazball flops; Warnie's IPL windfall ($50M stake). Sheffield Shield final: Vics dominating SA. Bonus: Free Imran Khan tees from CrickInfo—CA's T-shirt ban at Junction Oval? Pathetic.That's a wrap on 150—cracking ep with Insider's insight shining through, even if Hong Kong Jack's conservative drift drags it down a peg (we kid, but seriously, mate—sort it out). Drop us a line on your political origin stories or media gripes. Cheers, legends—catch ya next week!

It's been a huge week on the lunatic fringe. We have the SA election where One Nation basically won the whole thing while Peter Malinauskas and his stupid giant biceps are crying into some non alcoholic beer that someone served him WITHOUT AN RSA! But yeah it's South Australia so outside of the whole One Nation litmus test don't tell me you care about ambulance ramping in Adelaide because I know you don't. One can only assume Marco Rubio is channeling Trump when he says to Zambia - give us your rare earth minerals or we will kill your kids. Wish we were kidding. They are holding PEPFAR hostage for a deal. Insane. Trump is making people wear clown shoes which is bizarrely apt but not for the right reasonsAAANNNNDDD We look at Monica and Guru back in court. Monica has come back for her hat and Guru is having a crack at self rep for a defo case that is going very badly. Also sovcits and BABET!

In my legally unqualified opinion we didn't defame anyone in the first 30 mins so we will give y'all a bit of content to chew on while we get the next main ep going. Notes are slop as declared! Enjoy and sign up if you want more! patreon.com/theconditionalreleaseprogram------------------------------------------------------------------------Big one here! Was a fun record. At the end we also have a quick chat about Monica's upcoming appeal though limited because Jack needed to scurry off for a durry and watch his beloved Carlton play (and win) a game. Bless - he will be in a good mood this week.Here's some AI slop show notes. This one's from Gemini Pro - thinking model.PS gemini is lying there's a ton that's off limits but we do push the envelope a bit in the second half. Enjoy :-)Show NotesIn this extended Black Label episode, Jack and Joel dive deep into the unfolding chaos of the Iran War, the disturbing criminal fallout of Donald Trump's January 6th pardons, and the "rigged" nature of Australian electoral finance laws. From dirty bombs to "demonic realms" in South Australian politics, nothing is off-limits.The Middle East: The Bad SequelThe Iran War: Jack and Joel discuss the lack of an exit strategy in the escalating conflict involving Israel, Iran, and LebanonIntelligence Gaps: A look at the "gutting" of the U.S. security apparatus and why the duo currently trusts ASIO over the FBI.The "Dirty Bomb" Threat: A breakdown of radioactive materials like Cesium-137 and Americium—and Joel's childhood plan involving a smoke detector.The Matildas & Bravery: The team discusses the defection of five Iranian women's soccer players in Australia.U.S. News: Pardons and PredatorsThe Crime Wave: A startling analysis of the 1,600 January 6th insurrectionists pardoned by Trump. At least 33 have already re-offended or were revealed to have extensive records.Disturbing Trends: Discussion on the over-representation of child sex offenders among the J6 pardoned group compared to the general population.Prison Politics: Jack explains the "Aryan Brotherhood" intake process in federal penitentiaries.Australian Politics: Rigged Systems & Religious "Fruit Loops"The Farrer By-election: Why the Liberal Party might run third in Susan Ley's old seat as an Independent looks to "piss it in".South Australian "Demons": The rise of Liberal candidate Carsten Woodhouse, his views on "demonic realms," and why the SA Liberals are facing a 60-40 wipeout.Electoral Finance Lawsuit: A deep dive into the High Court challenge by Paul Hopper and Melissa Lowe against Victorian donation laws that appear designed to entrench the major parties.The Cooker Corner: Monica's Day in CourtThe Appeal: Monica Smit returns to court to challenge her costs order.Calderbank Offers: Joel explains how Monica's rejection of a settlement offer led to her current financial peril—and why she admitted on Twitter that she "knew the risks".

Okay so it seems that episode 148 hasn't actually gone up yet. So I will do that later. Yes, 148 goes before 149 but we are post modern and cool like that. And hey, now you can liten to episode 148 and know HKJ is wrong instead of wondering if he will be wrong. Hindsight is 20/20 indeed. This AI slop is brought to you by Copilot 'premium' which is the one that makes the talky guns and tracky cameras. Episode summaryA non‑news episode that examines personal media habits, the shifting political spectrum (using the ABC Vote Compass), the economics of modern journalism, social platforms and the disruptive risks and benefits of AI — plus a run through books, magazines, streamers and sport. The hosts compare how they start the day, which outlets they trust, and how AI is already changing creative and legal work. Key theme: media survival depends on business models, editorial craft and sensible regulation of new technologies.“Well, g'day listeners and welcome once again to the Two Jacks. We've got a slightly different program today for you. We're not going to cover the news. We're going to cover media and who we like in it and and the pressures that are on media at the moment, where that all might lead to, the role of social media, AI, et cetera.”.Show notes with timestamps (all timestamps shifted +25 seconds to allow for theme music)- 00:00:25 — Intro & episode focus — Hosts set out the plan: a media‑focused episode rather than the usual news rundown.- 00:01:47 — Political identity & background — Hong Kong Jack describes his political journey (centre‑left, former Socialist Left faction).- 00:03:38 — On the “well‑trodden path” — Discussion of how political views used to shift with age and why that pattern is changing for younger voters.- 00:06:54 — ABC Vote Compass exercise — Jack completes the Vote Compass and they discuss how algorithms and question framing shape results.- 00:21:08 — Vote Compass results & interpretation — Jack's alignment scores (e.g., 75% with Coalition, 54% with Labor, 20% with Greens) and the hosts' take on what that means.- 00:27:13 — Daily media routines — What each host reads and listens to first thing (newspapers, RN, X/Twitter scans, US/UK outlets). Practical notes on tabloids vs broadsheets for breaking local news.- 00:39:32 — Opinion vs reporting — How to spot news reporting vs opinion pages and why craftful writing (examples: Marina Hyde, Andrew Sullivan) matters.- 01:03:35 — Magazines & books — Short detour on the decline of magazines, favourite authors (PG Wodehouse, Ian Rankin, Patrick Radden Keefe).- 01:03:35 — Streamers & sport viewing — How the hosts manage subscriptions, Foxtel/streamer fatigue and watching AFL/NRL.- 00:50:45 — AI: opportunities and risks — Start of the AI segment: research uses, creative pitfalls, and legal/compliance concerns.- 00:56:21 — ByteDance / C‑Dance & IP concerns — Discussion of AI‑generated video, likeness rights and the potential for major intellectual‑property disputes.- 01:01:46 — Regulation debate — Should AI be regulated now or allowed to evolve? The hosts weigh the tradeoffs and recall missed regulatory opportunities with social media.- 01:13:03 — Sport roundup — AFL, NRL and international sport highlights and controversies (Sydney Swans commemoration, fixture fairness, early season form).- 01:29:08 — Wrap & final thoughts — Media matters; paying for quality journalism and the need to balance innovation with safeguards.Key takeaways- Media habits shape perception — where you start your day (tabloid, broadsheet, radio, X) affects what you notice and how you interpret events.- Quality writing still matters — craft, clarity and wit keep readers engaged and build trust.- AI is a double‑edged sword — powerful for research and diagnostics, risky for copyright, fabrication and legal accuracy; human verification remains essential.- Business model = survival — subscriptions and reliable revenue streams determine whether outlets can afford deep reporting.

Claude wrote these. I did not. Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack are back for Episode 147, recorded on 5 March 2026. It's a massive week of news — a record Kiwi exodus to Australia, a leaked Liberal Party post-mortem, the Star Casino legal fallout, a landmark war in Iran, and a bumper AFL season preview. Settle in.Record Kiwi Migration & Trans-Tasman Economics[00:00:41]The BBC reports New Zealand citizens are leaving at record levels — over 60,000 departed in a single year, the equivalent of 180 people per day. Former PM Jacinda Ardern has joined the exodus, reportedly house-hunting on Sydney's northern beaches. Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack debate the merits of the northern beaches vs. the eastern suburbs, and the real net migration figures behind the headlines.Net migration loss from NZ: over 30,000 in 2024 to Australia aloneLong-term departures hit 101,932 in 2023 — remarkable for a nation of 5.3 millionNZ GDP per capita: USD 49,000 vs. Australia's USD 69,000New Zealand has been in negative GDP growth since December 2024, but is forecasting ~4% growth in the next financial yearAustralia has maintained consistent positive GDP growth post-COVID (0.8%–2.5% p.a.)The two countries are described as being at opposite ends of the economic cycleBrief discussion on Jacinda Ardern's post-Harvard career options and what Julia Gillard's post-PM trajectory looks like by comparison

We are back and it's been a huge fortnight on the fringe of right wing politics. We have forgotten about Epstein thanks to Operation Epstein Fury - but is that really why Trump went ahead with his 'definitely not a war for the sake of congress' military operation? Probably not. But hey, that's what we said when Clinton did a PR campaign for Tomahawk Cruise Missiles over in Serbia when things heated up at home. Either way, there's a slim chance this won't end terribly. The Epstein files are going great with Hillary Clinton - for some reason - being pulled into a closed door session with career idiot Lauren Boebert who asked her about pizzagate because, well, this entire thing is a farce. Trump Tower is definitely happening on the Gold Coast which will be a billion stories high and run by a very competent former Yeppoon pub owner. Can't think of a better bloke to make this thing definitely happen. What could possibly go wrong? Anthropic are woke because they don't want to implement mass surveillance and fully autonomous weapons but don't worry, Sam Altman is happy to do that one. We are all going to die. SovCits sees Dale Doback turn a $500 speeding fine into a protracted courtroom shitfight for no apparent reason and...BABET HAS NOT BEEN IDLE! Enjoy folks. Thanks for your support - please give us money on Patreon but if that kind of thankless behaviour is unsatisfying go to cbco.beer and enter CRP10 at the checkout and get some discounted good beer. It doesn't really help us but the beer is legit good and well priced!!!

AS USUAL SHOWNOTES ARE AI SLOP BY CLAUDE SONNET 4.6 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER-----------------------------------------------------------A wide‑ranging hour covering domestic politics (One Nation's surge and the Coalition's paralysis), major policy debates (NDIS reform, political donations), crime and national security items, transport projects, and international flashpoints from the US tariffs decision to Iran and Russia. Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack mix sharp political analysis with on‑the‑ground colour and sport/entertainment roundups.00:00:26 — Intro & banterQuick greeting, light chat about Chinese New Year and local life in Hong Kong. Sets tone and introduces the episode.00:01:36 — One Nation surge & polling deep-diveDiscussion of recent polls showing One Nation jumping into mid‑teens/20s in places; skepticism about methodology (Roy Morgan/telephone vs face‑to‑face) and how soft protest votes can be. Hong Kong Jack calls this a historically large minor‑party rise.00:06:49 — Why major conservatives look frozen (cost of One Nation policy)Analysis of Coalition paralysis on immigration policy; PBO estimate on net‑zero migration cost discussed; critique that Liberals/Nationals aren't confronting One Nation's policy platform.00:10:47 — Keith Wallerhan essay: who are modern decisive voters?Summary of Wallerhan's argument that the old “Phil & Jenny” voter has shifted; a new aspirational, tertiary‑educated, renting suburban voter is key and the Liberal Party hasn't adapted.00:13:29 — Nationals, nuclear sites and political messaging failuresHow rushed / poorly communicated policy (nuclear sites list) triggered NIMBY backlash; claim the Coalition isn't doing the detailed work needed to respond to voter shifts.00:18:28 — High Court challenge to Victoria's political donations regimeTwo independents argue the law entrenches major parties by cutting off new fundraising structures; discussion of the likely timing and importance for the November state election.00:20:30 — Crime: abduction/murder linked to organised crime networksAppalling case of an elderly man abducted from North Ryde, body discovered near Penrith; two men charged, defence suggests broader Sydney crime network involvement.00:24:56 — Gang violence & the Matt Utai shooting; crime networks in SydneyBrief on organised‑crime turf disputes (the “Coconut Cartel” reference) and ongoing police investigations.00:24:56 — Transport — Sydney–Newcastle high‑speed rail proposalFederal funding for planning (~AUD 660m so far) discussed; doubts raised about cost, route feasibility and whether fast rail really suits Australia's geography and travel patterns.00:31:09 — NDIS & autism diagnosis debateMike Freelander (paediatrician & MP) argues autism diagnostic threshold is too low; Grattan Institute numbers referenced; concern NDIS budget/scope is unsustainable without reform.00:36:29 — Australians in Syrian camps / “ISIS brides” debateStrong views on repatriation and national security; discussion of Australian citizenship rights for children born in Australia and the political difficulty of extracting or repatriating individuals from camps.00:42:10 — UK entry rules for dual citizens (brief)Note about changes/fees affecting dual UK citizens arriving without a UK passport; implications for Hong Kongers and others.00:44:20 — United States tariffs & Supreme Court rulingSCOTUS decision limiting presidential tariff powers discussed; Gorsuch and Kavanaugh opinions mentioned; likely litigation and refund battles to follow.00:56:16 — AI, data centres and environmental concernsColorado moratorium mention; large energy/water footprints of data centres; practical notes on lawyers/journalists misusing AI (fabricated cases) and AI as a drafting tool that must be checked.01:04:37 — Middle East: Iran tensions & regional risksDiscussion of US/Israeli options, likely limits to air/missile strikes, regional escalation risk and implications for proxy groups (Hezbollah).01:05:30 — Russia & Ukraine: economic pressure on MoscowSurvey of views that Russia's economy is under severe strain and that continued war may be economically self‑sustaining for the regime.01:06:13 — UK politics: by‑election in Gorton & Denton (context)Background on the resignation/scandal that triggered the by‑election; polling context (Reform/Greens versus Labor).01:08:15 — High‑profile UK arrests (Mandelson, Andrew) and “misconduct in public office”Overview of arrests/interviews, differences in UK arrest process vs Australia, discussion of historical use and limits of the offence and prosecution challenges.01:19:04 — Sport: AFL documentary, Toby Greene, Carlton developmentsNotes on Amazon Prime's Inside the AFL; Toby Greene anecdote; Carlton's new training facility, ESG plan and player signings (Sam Walsh, Jager Smith, Wade Dirksen story).01:27:41 — NRL in Las Vegas; T20 World Cup & Australian cricket updateNRL double‑header success in Vegas; ticket/cost notes. T20 World Cup preview—India/England/West Indies form and women's team performance spotlight.01:32:18 — Global oddities and small items (N Korea, etc.)Quick remarks on North Korea's predictable “reelection” and the historic gap since last nuclear test.01:33:36 — Outro & listener call‑outsClosing thanks, invitation for listener questions and sign‑off.

I don't think we defamed anyone in the first thirty mins so I thought I might give a snippet to the public feed to keep y'all happy till the next main ep. -----------------------------------------------------------------------Patrons! Thank you for your continued support. This thing hangs over my head like a dark cloud of unfulfilled expectations despite you all being super chill about whether we release or not. But this one's a banger! Should be a main really but whatever - y'all deserve some quality in your feed.First up is the Hallow app - a pay to pray phone app funded by Peter Thiel (among others) which not only makes you cough up dough to join their shitty prayer challenges - but harvests data and feeds you political messaging. Classic Thiel. God bless that evil vampire.Tariffs are out! They are back in! That was quick. But what happens to the ones they've already taken? There's a grift here. For some insane reason Jack disputes the claim that this is the most corrupt white house in history and then has to read out a list of reasons why that is objectively wrong.Epstein will not go away. Punishment exists outside the USA but just because nobody has gone to their new forever home in handcuffs doesn't mean heads won't roll. For now, but they'll be sweating like - nevermind.And there's a bonghead sovcit who was radicalised online and for some reason his lawyer said that in the past tense. Yeah sure mate! Cook on lad. But don't send cops death threats. They are not fond of them.Enjoy!

THERE IS A FEEDBACK FROM HKJ'S HEADPHONES TO HIS MIC - THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED - I HAVE BEEN TOLD HKJ HAS BEEN YELLED AT APPROPRIATELY. AI slop from our mate Claude Sonnet 4.6 - who is a good slopmaker and a blessed robot.Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack are back for Episode 145, kicking off with Chinese New Year greetings before diving headlong into the Liberal Party's new leadership under Angus Taylor, Victoria's CFMEU corruption saga, and the ever-deepening Epstein files rabbit hole. They roam through the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky's sharp Putin put-down, Cuba's unravelling regime, and the Iran situation — then lighten the mood with one-hit wonders in literature, the T20 World Cup disaster, AFL State of Origin, Winter Olympics, and the Premier League title race. Buckle up.SHOW NOTES WITH TIMESTAMPS

Shownotes are AI slop as usual. It's a week late cause nobody bothered to tell me it was recorded. Apologies for lack of freshness. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack are back for Episode 144, recorded on 12 February. It's Liberal Party leadership spill eve and the boys break down whether Angus Taylor has the numbers to end Susan Ley's tenure — and what sort of baggage he'll carry into the job. From there: a landmark High Court ruling on the Catholic Church's duty of care for survivors of clergy abuse; the protests surrounding Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia; the widening Epstein-Mandelson catastrophe engulfing Keir Starmer; the slow collapse of the Washington Post; Japan's election result and its implications for China; and a packed sports segment covering the T20 World Cup, AFL State of Origin, the Rugby World Cup opener, and the Winter Olympics.Show Notes & Timestamps

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 143Recorded: 3 February 2026Released: 8 February 2026Episode DescriptionJack 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 & Topics00:25 - Welcome & RBA Breaking NewsThe 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 InstrumentDiscussing government spending as the inflation driver and the uneven effects of rate hikes on mortgage holders versus savers.03:35 - Trump vs The FedHow 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 EconomicsAustralia's most expensive drugs in the world, Rugby World Cup memories, and why Western Australia pays double.08:38 - Coalition Chaos: Nationals Hold OnDavid Littleproud's leadership survives as spill motion fails, but Andrew Hastie drops out of Liberal leadership race.09:33 - The Oxford ConnectionAngus Taylor, Tony Abbott, and Australia's history of Oxford-educated prime ministers—from Gorton to Turnbull.10:09 - Angus Taylor's Shadow Treasurer StrugglesTroy Bramston's scathing assessment of Taylor's poor performance and lost economic credibility for the Coalition.11:37 - Coalition Split ContinuesLittleproud 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 MathThe 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 PatienceThe 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 TargetsAnthony 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 UniversityFormer 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 LegislationWhy 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 DealAlbanese and state premiers sign massive health funding package while agreeing to limit NDIS growth to 6% or less.28:21 - Autism and the NDIS DebateMoving 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 RethinkComparing the transition from Medibank to Medicare: why the NDIS needs root-and-branch reform, not just tinkering.31:03 - Chronic Illness Left OutPeople with ME, CFS, MS, and fibromyalgia struggle to access NDIS support while other areas may be over-serviced.33:26 - Spain's Migrant AmnestySpain grants legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants—stark contrast to anti-immigration sentiment across Europe.35:48 - Epstein Files: 3 Million PagesTwo million documents missing, Kevin Rudd brushes off Epstein's name-dropping, and Peter Mandelson's career implodes.36:36 - What Was Epstein's Business?Unpacking the mystery: Victoria's Secret rip-off, half-billion-dollar investment clients, and the missing financial footprint.38:22 - Mandelson in His UnderpantsThe former UK ambassador to the US photographed with young woman, now "unemployable"—very odd for a gay man.39:22 - Chomsky, Woody Allen, and Strange Dinner PartiesThe inexplicable nature of intellectuals dining with Epstein, and Brett Ratner's creepy Epstein photos despite #MeToo allegations.42:33 - Clintons Agree to TestifyBill Clinton offers four-hour congressional interview, Hillary to make sworn statement about Epstein connections.43:28 - Andrew and Mandelson Under PressurePrince Andrew pushed to testify while Mandelson faces questions about unexplained £75K payments and acting as Epstein's lobbyist while a cabinet minister.46:15 - Put Your Pants On for PhotosWhy do old blokes keep getting photographed in their underwear with Epstein? A plea for sartorial sense.48:13 - Board of Peace: Trump's $1 Billion ClubExplaining Trump's confusing Gaza oversight initiative: permanent seats cost US$1 billion paid into Trump-managed accounts, not US Treasury.50:35 - Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the StansThe "very nice countries" signing onto the Board of Peace, while Europe says no en masse and Canada gets uninvited after Carney's tariff speech.51:56 - UAE Taking Control of GazaMore important than the Board of Peace: United Arab Emirates moving to run Gaza's civilian administration with Israeli and US backing.52:24 - Spain's 500,000 Migrant AmnestySouthern European states bearing the brunt of arrivals while finding their own solutions—Italy's Albania processing reduces numbers by 60%.53:50 - France's Budget Finally PassesAfter four months of deadlock, Macron's government gets budget through with no-confidence motions failing, bringing rare stability.54:42 - Global Energy Prices: Ireland Tops the ListHousehold electricity costs compared: Ireland, Italy, and Belgium most expensive in Europe; Russia at just 7 cents per kilowatt hour versus Australia's 26 cents.56:31 - Canadian Energy: 12 Cents Per Kilowatt HourMark Carney's priority to reduce energy costs in Canada, currently lower than the US at 12.5 cents.57:50 - European GDP: Tepid GrowthGermany, UK, and France stuck around 1-1.5% growth, with Spain and Portugal outperforming at 2.5%, while Russia posts 4% driven entirely by military spending.59:59 - Russia's War Economy TrapWith 2% unemployment, 8% inflation, and 20% interest rates, Russia's 4% GDP growth masks an economy with "nothing to go for it" without the war.01:02:19 - Why Would Russia End the War?No economic incentive to stop fighting when military spending drives the economy and ending the war means economic collapse and regime change risk.01:04:22 - European Army TalkGermany and France push controversial European army concept alongside NATO—bad idea with chain of command issues, likely won't happen.01:07:38 - Japan's Liz Truss MomentPM Takeichi's tax and spending pledges spook markets: ¥5 trillion revenue shortfall, £137 billion stimulus, cash handouts, and approval ratings sliding from 75% to 58%.01:10:23 - Chagos Islands: The Deal That Won't DieBritish Indian Ocean Territory dispute: Diego Garcia military base, Mauritius sovereignty claims, and why the US and Australia oppose the UK deal.01:13:48 - France's Immigration RhetoricMarine Le Pen's inflammatory language about asylum seekers, and why "remigration" policies face huge practical and legal obstacles.01:16:28 - London Murder Prosecutions at 13-Year LowOnly 39% of murders result in charges as London's crime crisis deepens, despite accusations of two-tier policing favouring establishment figures.01:19:23 - Melania: The MovieBrett Ratner's documentary earns $8 million in the US against $40 million production costs—but it's about access to Trump, not profit.01:22:38 - Australian Open: Record NumbersWomen's final delivers 3.8 million viewers (up 30% from 2024), total tournament audience up 9.3% to 14.3 million, cementing status as global sporting event.01:26:39 - Usman Tariq's Unusual ActionPakistani spinner's legal but confounding bowling: shuffle-shuffle-stop-bowl delivery frustrates Cameron Green and raises eyebrows.01:28:58 - Should Steve Smith Play T20?Mark Waugh says yes—36-year-old leg-spinner/batsman is Australia's best player. Missing Tim David as Pakistan dominates the series.01:31:24 - Carlton's Training Video DisasterDropped marks and out-of-bounds kicks in pre-season footage—but fans' hope springs eternal until about May.01:32:07 - King Street Chair-Throwing MemeBloke throws chair at bouncers, accidentally knocks out his mate instead. Victorian government announces "toughest chair laws in Australia." Stand up, Victoria.

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 intro00:25 – 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 implosion00:40 – 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 squeeze04:00 – 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 next07:20 – 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” politicians13:00 – 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 cities.”​16:10 – The “public bar” politician ideal: Barnaby as hail‑fellow‑well‑met who genuinely likes the people he's talking to, contrasted with Whitlam and Fraser looking awkward in 1970s pub photo ops.​17:20 – John Howard scrounging a fiver to shout a round, Barry Jones dying in Warrnambool pubs, and why Bob Hawke and Tony Abbott always looked at home with a schooner.​Australia Day, antisemitism and street violence18:00 – Australia Day wrap: The Australian newspaper's “social cohesion crisis” framing after antisemitism, violence and extremist rhetoric.​19:10 – Perth's rudimentary explosive device: ball bearings and screws around a liquid in a glass “coffee cup” thrown into an Invasion Day crowd at Forrest Place; police clear the area quickly.​21:00 – Melbourne: small March for Australia turnout, scuffles between their supporters and Invasion Day marchers, arrests likely to follow.​22:10 – Sydney: March for Australia rally of around 2,000 ending at Moore Park, open mic session, and the selection of a man wearing a Celtic cross shirt who launches into a vile antisemitic rant.​23:20 – His subsequent arrest in Darlinghurst and the Section 93Z charge (publicly threatening or inciting violence on racial or religious grounds), with possible three‑year jail term and $11,000 fine.​24:40 – Why the speech appears to meet the elements of the offence, and how such defendants are quickly turned into martyrs and crowdfunding heroes by the extreme right.​26:10 – The psychology of self‑styled martyrs seeking notoriety and donations; parallels with “Free Joel Davis” signs after threats to MP Allegra Spender.​Australia Day vs India's Republic Day27:20 – Australia Day clashing with India's Republic Day: Joel only just realises the overlap; Jack has known for years.​28:00 – History recap: Australia Day as a 1930s invention, not a national holiday until Keating's government in 1995; its big cultural take‑off in the 1988 Bicentennial year.​29:10 – India's enormous Republic Day parade: 10,000+ guests, missiles and tanks on show, EU leaders in attendance, congratulations from President Trump and President Xi – easily out‑shining Australia's low‑key day.​30:00 – Why big military parades feel culturally wrong in Australia; the discomfort with tanks and squeaky‑wheeled machinery rolling down main streets.​30:30 – The 26 January date debate: protests by Invasion Day marchers vs “flag shaggers,” plateauing protest numbers, and the sense that for most Australians it's just another day off.​31:20 – Arguments for a different nation‑building day (maybe early January for a built‑in long weekend), and the need for a better way to celebrate Australia's achievements without performative patriotism.​32:40 – Local citizenship ceremonies, Australia Day ambassadors and quiet country‑town rituals that still work well in spite of the culture war.​Minneapolis outrage, ICE shootings and US politics34:20 – Turning to the United States: the shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretty by ICE agents in Minneapolis and the shock it has injected into US domestic politics.​34:50 – Video evidence vs official narrative: Pretty appears to be disarmed before being shot; the administration initially claiming he was planning a massacre of ICE agents.​35:40 – Trump's early blame of Democrat officials and policies, then a noticeable shift as outrage spreads more broadly across the political spectrum and the Insurrection Act chatter cools.​36:20 – Tom Homan's deployment to Minneapolis, the demotion of Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, and reports that Homan will now report directly to President Trump rather than Kristi Noem.​37:10 – Internal GOP friction: suggestions Noem relished confrontation, while Homan did not; speculation Noem may be the first cabinet‑level casualty.​38:00 – Use of children as bait in immigration operations, American citizens detained, and two civilians shot dead by ICE; discussion of likely multi‑million‑dollar compensation exposure.​39:00 – Allegations of bribery and “missing 50 large,” the checkered backgrounds of some ICE agents and rumours about extremist links and failed cops finding a home in ICE.​40:00 – A snap YouGov poll: 46% of respondents wanting ICE disbanded, 41% opposed, and how this feeds the narrative that Noem will be thrown under the bus.​Sanctuary cities, federal power and Pam Bondi's letter41:10 – Trump's boastful but error‑strewn talk on Article 5 of the NATO treaty, and his correction that still belittled allies' sacrifices in Afghanistan.​41:40 – Casualties by nation: US 2,461, then significant losses from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Australia, Poland, Spain and others – disproving Trump's “America alone” framing.​42:30 – Sanctuary cities vs federal supremacy: recalling the 2012 Arizona case where the Supreme Court confirmed immigration enforcement as a federal responsibility, and how that collides with sanctuary policies.​43:10 – Pam Bondi's letter to Minnesota's governor after the second ICE killing: reported threat to pull ICE agents in exchange for electoral records, and the ominous implications of such demands.​Greenland, Davos and market games44:00 – Trump's Greenland obsession revisited: from bluster at Davos about tariffs on European allies to a supposed “deal” that no‑one, including the Danes, can define.​44:40 – How tariff threats knocked markets down, then his Davos announcement walked them back and sent markets up; Ted Cruz warning Trump that crashing 401(k)s and high inflation would make the midterms a bloodbath.​45:40 – Japan and the US bond market: a brief panic in Japanese bonds, a Danish super fund's sale of US Treasuries, and the longer‑term vulnerability given that Japan, China and the EU hold so much US debt.​46:30 – Trump's relentless pressure on the Fed for lower rates in an inflationary environment, and the comparison with Erdogan's disastrous low‑rate, high‑inflation experiment in Turkey.​Davos speeches and a world with no rules47:10 – Mark Carney's standout Davos speech: we now live in a geopolitical environment with “no rules,” and the post‑WWII rules‑based order has largely broken down.​47:50 – Carney's planned March visit to Australia and likely address to a joint sitting of Parliament, plus his reputation as a sharp, articulate central banker.​48:20 – Hong Kong Jack's scepticism about “international law” as more fiction than practice; non‑Western powers paying lip service while ignoring it in reality.​49:00 – The German Chancellor's more consequential Davos speech on EU failures, competitiveness, and the need to reinvent Europe, backed in by Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.​49:40 – The “Sir Humphrey” view of the EU: you can only reform Brussels from the inside, not from outside as Brexit Britain is discovering.​Brexit's economic hit50:10 – Chancellor Mertz's critique of EU over‑regulation and the “world champions at regulation” line; the EU as an anti‑competitive behemoth that lost its free‑trade roots.​50:50 – Why countries like Spain struggle alone but “pack a punch” within the EU's collective GDP; Brexit as a decision to leave the world's biggest trading bloc.​51:20 – UK Office for Budget Responsibility analysis: since the 2016 referendum, estimated UK GDP per capita by 2025 is 6–8% lower than it would have been, with investment 12–18% lower and employment 3–4% lower than the “remain” counterfactual.​52:10 – How these losses emerged slowly, then accumulated as uncertainty persisted, trade barriers rose and firms diverted resources away from productive activity.​52:40 – Jack challenges the counterfactual: notes that actual UK GDP growth is only a couple of points below EU averages and doubts that UK governments would have outperformed Europe even without Brexit.​53:20 – Joel's rejoinder that the OBR work is widely accepted and that Brexit has created profound long‑term impacts on Britain's economy over the next 5–10 years.​Sport: cricket, Premier League and Australian Open heat55:20 – Australian cricket's depth: promising leg‑spinners and other talent juggling Shield cricket with gigs in the Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League and more.​55:50 – Premier League title race: Arsenal's lead cut from seven to four points after a 3–2 loss to an invigorated Manchester United that also beat City in the derby.​56:30 – The “sugar hit” of a new coach at United, reverting to a more traditional style and the question of how long the bounce will last.​57:10 – Australian Open “Sinner controversy”: oppressive heat, the heat index rules for closing the roof, Jannik Sinner cooked at one set all before a pause, roof closure and air‑conditioning – and then a comfortable Sinner win.​58:00 – Accusations about coach Darren Cahill lobbying tournament boss Craig Tiley, and why the footage doesn't really support conspiracy theories.​58:30 – Djokovic's soft run after a walkover, the emergence of 19‑year‑old American Tien with Michael Chang in his box, and Chang's devout‑Christian clay‑court glory at Roland Garros.​59:20 – Heatwave conditions in southern Australia, fires in Victoria and the Otways/Jellibrand region, and a shout‑out to firefighters and residents under threat.​Final odds and ends01:00:20 – Closing thoughts on Australia's weather extremes, hoping for a wind change and some respite for the fireys.​01:00:50 – Jack's trivia nugget: Casablanca was once banned in Ireland for not being “sufficiently neutral” and not kind enough to the Nazis, segueing to bans on Lady Chatterley's Lover and Australian censorship history.​01:02:00 – Sign‑off from Joel (Jack the Insider) and Hong Kong Jack, promising to track the Perth bombing case, hate‑speech prosecutions, Canberra leadership moves and the unfolding Minneapolis/ICE scandal in future episodes.

IT WAS TERRIBLE AS THE AI EDITOR THAT TAKES OUT UMS AND AHS JUST BUTCHERED IT - ZENCASTR SUCKSIt's better now. 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: The impact of a 10% tariff hike on European allies and America's dependence on Danish pharmaceuticals like Ozempic.UK Political Maneuvers: How Kemi Badenoch outsmarted Robert Jenrick's defection to Nigel Farage's Reform party.Sporting Scandals and Struggles: From the "oversold" crowds at the Australian Open to a bizarre aerodynamic "groin inflation" scandal in Norwegian ski jumping.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 aerodynamic advantages.01:15:30 – Wrap Up The hosts invite listener feedback on Brexit and current events before signing off for the week. 

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!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.[00:00:30] Introduction: Happy New Year 2026? Jack and Joel open the year discussing the "depressing" state of global affairs, from regime changes to Donald Trump's fixation on Greenland.[00:01:38] Sponsor: CBCO Beer A quick break to discuss why regime change goes better with hops. Use code CRP10 at CBCO.beer for 10% off.[00:02:13] Global Intel Stings Jack shares a developing story regarding an intelligence sting involving the Ukrainians, the French, and the United States.[00:02:54] The Bondi Aftermath & "Tribal Shitshow" A look at how the aftermath of the December 14 Bondi attacks has devolved into political tribalism rather than national unity.[00:04:17] The End of the National Socialist Network (NSN) Joel discusses the Telegram announcement that the NSN is disbanding by January 18, 2026—just as new federal laws are introduced.[00:07:51] The Combating Anti-Semitism, Hate, and Extremism Bill A breakdown of the draft bill that proposes five-year prison sentences for inciting racial hatred and empowers the government to ban extremist organizations.[00:11:42] The Politics of the Omnibus Bill The hosts debate the Coalition's "unsalvageable" stance on the bill and the strategic separation of gun buyback provisions from hate speech laws.[00:21:04] The Rise of One Nation & The Death of the Liberals? Jack examines polling showing One Nation gaining ground as a protest vote and what this means for the future of the Liberal Party.[00:26:03] Defining Terrorism & Radicalization A discussion on the difficulties lawmakers face in defining terrorism and the specific targeting of religious leaders who advocate violence.[00:31:51] "Aggravated Grooming" Offences New laws targeting adults who attempt to radicalize minors under 18, a demographic that reportedly makes up half of current watch lists.[00:46:10] Hate Crime Case Study: Brendan Nichols The story of a 23-year-old Bunnings employee charged with attacking a Muslim Imam, involving a dramatic courtroom attempt to jump out of the dock.[00:58:13] The Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion Jack and Joel critique the appointment of retired High Court Judge Virginia Bell and the specific areas the inquiry will investigate.[01:09:02] Security Failures: CSG and the NSW Police A report that the Community Security Group warned police about inadequate security at Bondi prior to the attack, a claim that will be central to the Royal Commission.[01:14:33] Tommy Robinson's Algorithm "Self-Own" The "pint-sized" nationalist (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) accidentally reveals his browsing habits while complaining about YouTube advertisements.[01:18:49] SovSit Corner: The "Man Living in Body" The bizarre tale of Gregory Francis, a Sovereign Citizen who refuses to claim a $500,000 lakeside inheritance because he won't provide a tax file number.[01:27:36] Kill Count: Musk vs. RFK Jr. The ongoing debate over who will cause more global deaths: Elon Musk's USAID cuts or Bobby Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vax shift at the CDC.[01:39:23] Zippy Babbitt's UK Obsession Federal MP Ralph Babbit expresses fear over visiting London, while the hosts debunk his claims about UK crime rates and "radicalization".

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.0:00–0:27IntroductionOpening banter and Hong Kong theme music0:27–8:00Australian BushfiresDiscussion of recent Victorian fires around Alexandra and Longwood; praise for improved evacuation technology, CFA coordination, and community heroism since Black Saturday8:00–11:09Kevin Rudd's ResignationAnalysis of Rudd's departure as US Ambassador, his public spat with Elon Musk, and new role as Asia Society President11:09–20:50Royal Commission AnnouncementDeep dive into Virginia Bell's appointment, scope of the inquiry (governance failures, anti-Semitism, extremism), government delays, and potential security secrecy measures20:50–31:00Australian Political LandscapePolling analysis, Labor vs. LNP, One Nation's resurgence, upcoming South Australian election, and protest voting dynamics31:00–36:00US Economic & Political TurmoilVIX volatility, Jerome Powell's position, interest rate debates, and Trump administration's policy impacts36:00–45:00Iran Protests & Regional UnrestEconomic collapse (Rial devaluation), spreading regional protests, regime fragility, Western hesitation on intervention, and BRICS dynamics44:00–50:00Venezuela CrisisMaduro's grip on power, US sanctions, paramilitary threats, opposition struggles, and regional destabilization50:00–56:00US Domestic IssuesMinnesota shooting incident, police conduct debates, First Amendment tensions, and body-camera footage controversies56:00–1:00:00Ukraine Conflict UpdateDenis Kapustin's alleged drone strike death, neo-Nazi paramilitary links, GUR intelligence operations, and misinformation battles1:00:00–1:09:00European & UK PoliticsStarmer's Labour struggles, potential leadership challenges, Macron's position in France, and broader European political shifts1:09:00–1:22:00Cricket AnalysisAustralian summer review, BBL performances, emerging talent (multicultural pipeline), England's coaching chaos, disciplinary issues, and 2027 Ashes preview1:22:00–EndWrap-Up & Listener EngagementFinal thoughts and call for listener feedbackKey Topics CoveredAustralian Bushfires: Improved CFA response, evacuation technology, community resilience in Alexandra and LongwoodRoyal Commission: Justice Virginia Bell's appointment, scope including anti-Semitism and governance failures, procedural secrecyKevin Rudd: Resignation as US Ambassador, Musk feud, Asia Society appointmentIran: Economic devastation, hyperinflation, regional protest spread, US/Western response optionsVenezuela: Ongoing instability, Maduro's regime, sanctions impactUkraine: Denis Kapustin saga, paramilitary operations, GUR intelligence successesCricket: Australian talent depth, multicultural recruitment, England's discipline and coaching woes, 2027 Ashes outlookBRICS: Economic bloc now exceeding US+EU GDP, geopolitical implications

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. 00:25 – Hanukkah, Bondi and a terror attackJoel (Jack the Insider) opens the Christmas‑eve episode by recounting the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach that turned into a mass‑shooting, with 16 dead including Holocaust survivor Alex Kleitman and 10‑year‑old Matilda.​He notes that one gunman, Sajid Akram, was killed and his son Naveed faces 59 charges including 15 murders and a terrorism offence, while funerals proceed under a cloud of grief.​02:05 – Anti‑Semitic threats and the rise of Jew hatredThe Jacks detail an anti‑Semitic threat on a Virgin Australia flight from Denpasar to Sydney, where a 19‑year‑old allegedly made violent gestures and threats toward a Jewish passenger.​They discuss how contemporary anti‑Semitism in Australia and the West feels broader and deeper than before, increasingly visible on progressive and left‑wing fringes as well as the far right.​04:55 – Jenny Leong's “tentacles” remark and Greens politicsJoel quotes NSW Greens MLC Jenny Leong's 2023 comments about the “Jewish lobby” and “Zionist lobby” having “tentacles” infiltrating community groups, likening the rhetoric to classic Nazi tropes in Der Stürmer.​Jack notes Leong is part of NSW's hard‑left “watermelon” Greens and argues such language shows how anti‑Jewish narratives have crept into mainstream progressive politics in Australia, the UK and the US.​07:25 – Apologies, anti‑Zionism and the limits of definitionsThey note Leong apologised two months later for “poor choice of words” with anti‑Semitic implications, but Joel says the tentacle imagery hung “like a bad smell” over public debate.​The Jacks criticise semantic wrangling over definitions of anti‑Semitism and suggest calling much of it what it plainly is: old‑fashioned Jew hatred, often masked as anti‑Zionism.​10:25 – Who failed after 7 October? Government responses under fireJack argues federal and state leaders failed from “October 8th on” by not responding strongly enough to anti‑Jewish rhetoric and protests, suggesting Labor tried to balance Jewish concerns against Western Sydney Muslim votes.​Joel pushes back, citing Sean Carney's column outlining how Naveed Akram's jihadist associations, ASIO assessments and gun‑licence decisions date back to the Morrison/Dutton era and pre‑Albanese security failures.​13:55 – ASIO, gun licensing and unanswered questionsThe Jacks highlight ASIO's prior knowledge of Naveed's extremist links and question how Sajid Akram obtained a semi‑automatic shotgun with only an AB licence when B/C categories are needed for that weapon.​They call for frank explanations from ASIO and NSW firearms licensing about assessments, paper trails and whether bureaucratic or resourcing failures allowed Akram to amass an arsenal worth around $30,000.​17:55 – Under‑resourced counter‑terror units and a fearful Jewish communityJoel cites a retired AFP counter‑terror investigator who says counter‑terror units are stacked with officers fresh out of the academy instead of seasoned detectives.​Jack reflects on three decades of Jewish institutions in Sydney's east needing armed guards, and shares conversations with Jewish friends who now quietly contemplate leaving Australia because they no longer feel safe.​20:35 – “Don't bring your old hatreds here”The Jacks trace anti‑Jewish attacks in Sydney back to the 1982 Hakoah Club car bombing and the simultaneous attack on the Israeli consulate, arguing Jewish Australians have lived with this threat for over 40 years.​They say successive governments failed to hammer home a core Australian expectation: migrants must not import centuries‑old religious or ethnic hatreds into their new home.​23:05 – Segal anti‑Semitism strategy and hate‑speech lawsThey briefly canvass the Gillian Segal anti‑Semitism strategy; Jack dismisses it as “word salad” and window dressing, while Joel notes the government has been slow to act on its recommendations.​On hate‑speech laws, Jack argues bans on offensive political opinions tend to drive hatred underground and make it more dangerous, but both agree incitement to violence must remain a prosecutable offence, possibly with updated legislation.​26:00 – Policing protests and the limits of crowd controlThe Jacks explain why police sometimes tolerate ugly slogans at protests: wading in for arrests can inflame crowds that already vastly outnumber officers.​They stress the need to balance immediate public safety and officer safety with the longer‑term risk that demonstrators feel they can incite hatred with impunity.​29:00 – Bondi's stain and its heroesJoel laments that Bondi Beach, an iconic Australian destination, will now always be associated with a massacre, describing a moment of nausea as the death toll climbed on that Sunday night.​Jack reminisces about Bondi's 1990s mix of Kiwis, working‑class locals and a relaxed Jewish presence, and fears that openness has been permanently damaged.​32:05 – Old‑school cop and a Syrian‑Australian heroThey praise the middle‑aged, tie‑wearing NSW officer who initiated the “beginning of the end” of the attack and commend off‑duty police who rushed to Bondi and threw on uniforms.​Joel celebrates North Bondi tobacconist Al Ahmad, a Syrian‑born resident who tackled the gunman with astonishing courage, noting he now seems certain to receive Australian citizenship along with his parents.​35:10 – Patrol strength, long guns and local station realitiesThe Jacks relay reports that only three officers were on duty at Bondi police station, which Joel describes as a relatively minor station compared to Rose Bay or Maroubra.​They question why frontline police responding to long‑gun threats were not issued rifles of their own and suggest NSW should review access to long arms for first responders in high‑risk scenarios.​38:00 – Multiculturalism, old enmities and what really matters nextJack argues that, in an immigrant nation, the most important response is cultural: reinstilling the norm that old tribal feuds must be left behind, not accommodated.​Joel agrees this message should be central in citizenship education and public rhetoric, more important than technocratic hate‑speech tweaks or reactive gun‑law posturing.​42:05 – National Cabinet, ASIO and the demand for competenceThey criticise the National Cabinet's muted post‑Bondi meeting, which produced little beyond talk, and suggest the Prime Minister's cautious style leaves a leadership vacuum in national crises.​The Jacks insist Australians accept that security agencies cannot be omniscient, but say they must be properly resourced, competent and transparent when they make mistakes.​45:25 – Around the world: headscarves, condoms, climate and Reddit vs CanberraThe Jacks whip around global headlines: Austria's ban on headscarves for under‑14s, China's 13% tax on condoms and contraceptives to boost fertility, Denmark listing the US as a security risk, and the US government quietly deleting “fossil fuels” as a named cause of climate change from official websites.​They note Reddit's legal challenge to Australia's under‑16 social media ban and question whether Reddit is the ideal platform to front that fight given its often unpoliced content.​47:35 – Venezuela, the ICC and the limits of international lawVenezuela moves to withdraw from the International Criminal Court as investigations into alleged Maduro‑regime crimes against humanity advance.​Jack says the episode encapsulates international law's limits: states happily sign the Rome Statute until it becomes inconvenient, then walk away.​48:55 – Ireland rearms and Russia blocks “unfriendly” callsIreland announces a 55 per cent jump in defence spending to protect undersea data cables and deter drones, reflecting its geostrategic importance as a trans‑Atlantic communications hub.​Russia, meanwhile, moves to block incoming calls from “unfriendly” states; the Jacks mock the performative toughness and note how easily scammers will route around any such ban.​51:15 – Rob Reiner's murder and a towering film legacyThey react with shock to the murder of legendary director Rob Reiner and his wife, allegedly by Reiner's troubled son, whose earlier violence was itself the subject of a film.​Jack runs through Reiner's extraordinary run—This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men—and argues that if you'd made only those, you'd still have had a remarkable career.​54:45 – “This one goes to 11” and Trump's gracelessnessThe Jacks recall how Spinal Tap helped invent the mockumentary form and embedded lines like “this one goes to 11” into pop‑culture vocabulary.​They condemn Donald Trump's statement calling Reiner “a terrible human being” after his death, with conservative actor James Woods publicly rebuking Trump and praising Reiner's personal kindness despite political differences.​57:40 – Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks and comedy royaltyJoel outlines Rob Reiner's upbringing in a house full of comedic giants, with father Carl Reiner and close friend Mel Brooks holding weekly movie nights together well into old age, as captured in Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.​They reminisce about Carl and Mel's influence on Jewish humour and lament the passing of a generation of comic geniuses.​01:01:05 – EVs, hybrids and a Two Jacks lunch betThe Jacks revisit their running argument over electric vehicles, prompted by Ford CEO Jim Farley's plan to pivot the F‑150 towards hybrids instead of pure EVs.​Joel, a hybrid owner, sees hybrids as a transition technology in countries like Australia where fast‑charge infrastructure is patchy; he cites global EV sales rising to roughly 18–20 per cent of new car sales in 2025, with internal‑combustion shares steadily shrinking.​01:03:05 – Charging reality vs theory in AustraliaJoel recounts his in‑laws' BMW EV trip from central Victoria to Sydney using free or cheap NRMA/RACV chargers, but notes fast chargers are often the first to break or get switched off by retailers facing high electricity costs.​They swap anecdotes about BYD and Chinese Maxus taxis—fast‑improving but sometimes uncomfortable—and admit they can no longer remember the exact terms of their EV lunch wager, though Joel insists Jack owes him.​01:06:10 – Worst political year: Trump, Macron, Starmer, Albanese, Li, PutinThe Jacks playfully debate which leader had the worst year—Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Anthony Albanese, Chinese Premier Li or Vladimir Putin.​They characterise Albanese as the “Stephen Bradbury” of Australian politics, a cautious survivor whose luck and endurance have mattered as much as brilliance.​01:18:40 – Ashes update: England's fragile top orderIn a late segment, they revisit England's Ashes woes: repeated collapses leaving them three‑for‑not‑many and a top three of Crawley, Duckett and Pope exposing the middle order to the new ball.​Joel notes England dropped a bowler as a scapegoat while leaving the misfiring batting unchanged, and questions how long they can justify Ollie Pope at three ahead of the more solid Will Jacks.​01:21:15 – Hong Kong racing, Kooring Rising and Japanese fanboy jockeysJack describes Hong Kong's International Racing Day—four Group 1s and 80,000 people—and the rise of sprinter Kooring Rising, winner of The Everest and now on a long winning streak.​He shares footage from Japan's Nakayama track where every jockey stopped circling and sat still so they could watch Kooring Rising's race on the big screen, a measure of the horse's star power.​01:23:00 – Listener mail, Howard's gun laws and the Shooters lobbyJoel reads a note from listener Ray pointing out that 300 legally obtained guns are still attributed to “Howard's gun laws”, reminding listeners gun‑law reform was necessary but later watered down under pressure from the Shooters and Fishers political lobby.​01:24:00 – Christmas, loneliness and a surprise lunch guestThe Jacks close with Christmas reflections: acknowledging how joyful and stressful the season can be, especially for those who are lonely or estranged from family.​Joel recalls his mother inviting a homeless man to Christmas lunch—an act of charity met with teenage grumbling from him and his brother—and urges listeners to look out for those doing it tough without necessarily going to that extreme.​01:25:45 – Holiday plans and the show's return in JanuaryJack outlines Hanukkah parties and family Christmas plans in Hong Kong, while Joel describes a quieter Highlands Christmas with a Boxing Day visit from the grandkids.​They thank listeners for their support through 2025, wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and promise to return in the second week of January after a short break.​00:25 – Hanukkah, Bondi and a terror attackJoel (Jack the Insider) opens the Christmas‑eve episode by recounting the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach that turned into a mass‑shooting, with 16 dead including Holocaust survivor Alex Kleitman and 10‑year‑old Matilda.​He notes that one gunman, Sajid Akram, was killed and his son Naveed faces 59 charges including 15 murders and a terrorism offence, while funerals proceed under a cloud of grief.​02:05 – Anti‑Semitic threats and the rise of Jew hatredThe Jacks detail an anti‑Semitic threat on a Virgin Australia flight from Denpasar to Sydney, where a 19‑year‑old allegedly made violent gestures and threats toward a Jewish passenger.​They discuss how contemporary anti‑Semitism in Australia and the West feels broader and deeper than before, increasingly visible on progressive and left‑wing fringes as well as the far right.​04:55 – Jenny Leong's “tentacles” remark and Greens politicsJoel quotes NSW Greens MLC Jenny Leong's 2023 comments about the “Jewish lobby” and “Zionist lobby” having “tentacles” infiltrating community groups, likening the rhetoric to classic Nazi tropes in Der Stürmer.​Jack notes Leong is part of NSW's hard‑left “watermelon” Greens and argues such language shows how anti‑Jewish narratives have crept into mainstream progressive politics in Australia, the UK and the US.​07:25 – Apologies, anti‑Zionism and the limits of definitionsThey note Leong apologised two months later for “poor choice of words” with anti‑Semitic implications, but Joel says the tentacle imagery hung “like a bad smell” over public debate.​The Jacks criticise semantic wrangling over definitions of anti‑Semitism and suggest calling much of it what it plainly is: old‑fashioned Jew hatred, often masked as anti‑Zionism.​10:25 – Who failed after 7 October? Government responses under fireJack argues federal and state leaders failed from “October 8th on” by not responding strongly enough to anti‑Jewish rhetoric and protests, suggesting Labor tried to balance Jewish concerns against Western Sydney Muslim votes.​Joel pushes back, citing Sean Carney's column outlining how Naveed Akram's jihadist associations, ASIO assessments and gun‑licence decisions date back to the Morrison/Dutton era and pre‑Albanese security failures.​13:55 – ASIO, gun licensing and unanswered questionsThe Jacks highlight ASIO's prior knowledge of Naveed's extremist links and question how Sajid Akram obtained a semi‑automatic shotgun with only an AB licence when B/C categories are needed for that weapon.​They call for frank explanations from ASIO and NSW firearms licensing about assessments, paper trails and whether bureaucratic or resourcing failures allowed Akram to amass an arsenal worth around $30,000.​17:55 – Under‑resourced counter‑terror units and a fearful Jewish communityJoel cites a retired AFP counter‑terror investigator who says counter‑terror units are stacked with officers fresh out of the academy instead of seasoned detectives.​Jack reflects on three decades of Jewish institutions in Sydney's east needing armed guards, and shares conversations with Jewish friends who now quietly contemplate leaving Australia because they no longer feel safe.​20:35 – “Don't bring your old hatreds here”The Jacks trace anti‑Jewish attacks in Sydney back to the 1982 Hakoah Club car bombing and the simultaneous attack on the Israeli consulate, arguing Jewish Australians have lived with this threat for over 40 years.​They say successive governments failed to hammer home a core Australian expectation: migrants must not import centuries‑old religious or ethnic hatreds into their new home.​23:05 – Segal anti‑Semitism strategy and hate‑speech lawsThey briefly canvass the Gillian Segal anti‑Semitism strategy; Jack dismisses it as “word salad” and window dressing, while Joel notes the government has been slow to act on its recommendations.​On hate‑speech laws, Jack argues bans on offensive political opinions tend to drive hatred underground and make it more dangerous, but both agree incitement to violence must remain a prosecutable offence, possibly with updated legislation.​26:00 – Policing protests and the limits of crowd controlThe Jacks explain why police sometimes tolerate ugly slogans at protests: wading in for arrests can inflame crowds that already vastly outnumber officers.​They stress the need to balance immediate public safety and officer safety with the longer‑term risk that demonstrators feel they can incite hatred with impunity.​29:00 – Bondi's stain and its heroesJoel laments that Bondi Beach, an iconic Australian destination, will now always be associated with a massacre, describing a moment of nausea as the death toll climbed on that Sunday night.​Jack reminisces about Bondi's 1990s mix of Kiwis, working‑class locals and a relaxed Jewish presence, and fears that openness has been permanently damaged.​32:05 – Old‑school cop and a Syrian‑Australian heroThey praise the middle‑aged, tie‑wearing NSW officer who initiated the “beginning of the end” of the attack and commend off‑duty police who rushed to Bondi and threw on uniforms.​Joel celebrates North Bondi tobacconist Al Ahmad, a Syrian‑born resident who tackled the gunman with astonishing courage, noting he now seems certain to receive Australian citizenship along with his parents.​35:10 – Patrol strength, long guns and local station realitiesThe Jacks relay reports that only three officers were on duty at Bondi police station, which Joel describes as a relatively minor station compared to Rose Bay or Maroubra.​They question why frontline police responding to long‑gun threats were not issued rifles of their own and suggest NSW should review access to long arms for first responders in high‑risk scenarios.​38:00 – Multiculturalism, old enmities and what really matters nextJack argues that, in an immigrant nation, the most important response is cultural: reinstilling the norm that old tribal feuds must be left behind, not accommodated.​Joel agrees this message should be central in citizenship education and public rhetoric, more important than technocratic hate‑speech tweaks or reactive gun‑law posturing.​42:05 – National Cabinet, ASIO and the demand for competenceThey criticise the National Cabinet's muted post‑Bondi meeting, which produced little beyond talk, and suggest the Prime Minister's cautious style leaves a leadership vacuum in national crises.​The Jacks insist Australians accept that security agencies cannot be omniscient, but say they must be properly resourced, competent and transparent when they make mistakes.​45:25 – Around the world: headscarves, condoms, climate and Reddit vs CanberraThe Jacks whip around global headlines: Austria's ban on headscarves for under‑14s, China's 13% tax on condoms and contraceptives to boost fertility, Denmark listing the US as a security risk, and the US government quietly deleting “fossil fuels” as a named cause of climate change from official websites.​They note Reddit's legal challenge to Australia's under‑16 social media ban and question whether Reddit is the ideal platform to front that fight given its often unpoliced content.​47:35 – Venezuela, the ICC and the limits of international lawVenezuela moves to withdraw from the International Criminal Court as investigations into alleged Maduro‑regime crimes against humanity advance.​Jack says the episode encapsulates international law's limits: states happily sign the Rome Statute until it becomes inconvenient, then walk away.​48:55 – Ireland rearms and Russia blocks “unfriendly” callsIreland announces a 55 per cent jump in defence spending to protect undersea data cables and deter drones, reflecting its geostrategic importance as a trans‑Atlantic communications hub.​Russia, meanwhile, moves to block incoming calls from “unfriendly” states; the Jacks mock the performative toughness and note how easily scammers will route around any such ban.​51:15 – Rob Reiner's murder and a towering film legacyThey react with shock to the murder of legendary director Rob Reiner and his wife, allegedly by Reiner's troubled son, whose earlier violence was itself the subject of a film.​Jack runs through Reiner's extraordinary run—This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men—and argues that if you'd made only those, you'd still have had a remarkable career.​54:45 – “This one goes to 11” and Trump's gracelessnessThe Jacks recall how Spinal Tap helped invent the mockumentary form and embedded lines like “this one goes to 11” into pop‑culture vocabulary.​They condemn Donald Trump's statement calling Reiner “a terrible human being” after his death, with conservative actor James Woods publicly rebuking Trump and praising Reiner's personal kindness despite political differences.​57:40 – Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks and comedy royaltyJoel outlines Rob Reiner's upbringing in a house full of comedic giants, with father Carl Reiner and close friend Mel Brooks holding weekly movie nights together well into old age, as captured in Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.​They reminisce about Carl and Mel's influence on Jewish humour and lament the passing of a generation of comic geniuses.​01:01:05 – EVs, hybrids and a Two Jacks lunch betThe Jacks revisit their running argument over electric vehicles, prompted by Ford CEO Jim Farley's plan to pivot the F‑150 towards hybrids instead of pure EVs.​Joel, a hybrid owner, sees hybrids as a transition technology in countries like Australia where fast‑charge infrastructure is patchy; he cites global EV sales rising to roughly 18–20 per cent of new car sales in 2025, with internal‑combustion shares steadily shrinking.​01:03:05 – Charging reality vs theory in AustraliaJoel recounts his in‑laws' BMW EV trip from central Victoria to Sydney using free or cheap NRMA/RACV chargers, but notes fast chargers are often the first to break or get switched off by retailers facing high electricity costs.​They swap anecdotes about BYD and Chinese Maxus taxis—fast‑improving but sometimes uncomfortable—and admit they can no longer remember the exact terms of their EV lunch wager, though Joel insists Jack owes him.​01:06:10 – Worst political year: Trump, Macron, Starmer, Albanese, Li, PutinThe Jacks playfully debate which leader had the worst year—Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Anthony Albanese, Chinese Premier Li or Vladimir Putin.​They characterise Albanese as the “Stephen Bradbury” of Australian politics, a cautious survivor whose luck and endurance have mattered as much as brilliance.​01:18:40 – Ashes update: England's fragile top orderIn a late segment, they revisit England's Ashes woes: repeated collapses leaving them three‑for‑not‑many and a top three of Crawley, Duckett and Pope exposing the middle order to the new ball.​Joel notes England dropped a bowler as a scapegoat while leaving the misfiring batting unchanged, and questions how long they can justify Ollie Pope at three ahead of the more solid Will Jacks.​01:21:15 – Hong Kong racing, Kooring Rising and Japanese fanboy jockeysJack describes Hong Kong's International Racing Day—four Group 1s and 80,000 people—and the rise of sprinter Kooring Rising, winner of The Everest and now on a long winning streak.​He shares footage from Japan's Nakayama track where every jockey stopped circling and sat still so they could watch Kooring Rising's race on the big screen, a measure of the horse's star power.​01:23:00 – Listener mail, Howard's gun laws and the Shooters lobbyJoel reads a note from listener Ray pointing out that 300 legally obtained guns are still attributed to “Howard's gun laws”, reminding listeners gun‑law reform was necessary but later watered down under pressure from the Shooters and Fishers political lobby.​01:24:00 – Christmas, loneliness and a surprise lunch guestThe Jacks close with Christmas reflections: acknowledging how joyful and stressful the season can be, especially for those who are lonely or estranged from family.​Joel recalls his mother inviting a homeless man to Christmas lunch—an act of charity met with teenage grumbling from him and his brother—and urges listeners to look out for those doing it tough without necessarily going to that extreme.​01:25:45 – Holiday plans and the show's return in JanuaryJack outlines Hanukkah parties and family Christmas plans in Hong Kong, while Joel describes a quieter Highlands Christmas with a Boxing Day visit from the grandkids.​They thank listeners for their support through 2025, wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and promise to return in the second week of January after a short break.​

A whole mess of AI generated shownotes. Enjoy! 00:25 – Christmas in Hong Kong, KFC in JapanJoel (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‑16sThe 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 concernsThey 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 resistanceThe 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 watchingThey 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 RightThe 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 interestThey 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 theatreThe 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 LaborNew 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 fireThey dissect Treasury modelling which suggests “green exports” (critical minerals, rare earths, battery inputs) will surpass coal and gas within a decade, and note scepticism from former Treasury official and now CBA chief economist Stephen Yeaman.​The Jacks highlight International Energy Agency updates showing coal demand in key markets staying high, and the reality that renewables growth is largely meeting new demand rather than cutting deeply into existing coal and gas use.​25:05 – Coal to 2049 and the reality of the gridJack points to Australian market operator projections that coal will remain in the domestic mix until at least 2049, while Joel questions which ageing coal plants will physically survive that long without new builds.​They agree modelling must continually be revised against actual demand profiles in China, India, Indonesia and elsewhere, where coal still supplies half or more of electricity.​27:20 – 30‑year suppression orders and transparencyThe Jacks shift to a 30‑year suppression order over evidence behind Tanya Plibersek's decision to block a $1 billion coal mine until 2055, and more broadly the proliferation of long‑term suppression orders in Australia.​They criticise the over‑use of secrecy in both environmental and criminal matters, arguing it breeds suspicion that justice and accountability can be bought by the wealthy.​28:25 – The “prominent family” sexual assault case in VictoriaWithout naming the individual, they discuss a Victorian case involving the convicted son of a prominent family whose identity remains suppressed even after guilty findings for serious sexual offences.​They worry that blanket suppression encourages rumour, misidentification and a sense that powerful people get special treatment, even when protection of victims is a legitimate concern.​30:05 – From undercover cop to gangland wars: how secrecy backfiresJoel revisits an NSW example where an undercover police officer's drink‑driving conviction was suppressed for 55 years, and Melbourne gangland cases where key cooperating witnesses remained pseudonymous for decades.​The Jacks argue that when authorities create information vacuums, gossip and conspiracy inevitably rush in to fill the space.​33:50 – MP expenses, family reunion travel and Annika Wells' bad day outThey turn to MPs' entitlements and “family reunion” travel: Annika Wells' ski‑trip optics and poor press conference performance, Don Farrell's extensive family travel, and Sarah Hanson‑Young's $50,000 in family travel for her lobbyist husband.​While acknowledging how hard federal life is—especially for WA MPs—they question where legitimate family support ends and taxpayer‑funded lifestyle begins.​37:05 – Why family reunion perks exist (and how they're abused)The Jacks recall the tragic case of Labor MP Greg Wilton as a driver for more generous family travel rules, given the emotional cost of long separations.​They conclude the system is necessary but ripe for exploitation, and note the Coalition's relatively muted response given its own exposure to the same rules.​39:15 – Diplomatic drinks trolleys: London, New York and the UNJoel notes Stephen Smith's stint as High Commissioner in London—the “ultimate drinks trolley” of Australian diplomacy—and his replacement by former SA Premier Jay Weatherill.​Jack mentions Smith's reputation for being stingy with hospitality at Australia House, in contrast to the traditionally lavish networking role of London and New York postings.​40:40 – Barnaby Joyce joins One NationThe big domestic political move: Barnaby Joyce's shift from the Nationals to One Nation, including his steak‑on‑a‑sandwich‑press dinner with Pauline Hanson.​The Jacks canvass whether Joyce runs again in New England or heads for the Senate, and the anger among New England voters who may feel abandoned.​42:25 – One Nation's growth, branch‑building and Pauline's futureThey dig into polling from Cos Samaras suggesting 39 per cent of Coalition voters say they'd be more likely to vote One Nation if Joyce led the party, and the risk of the Coalition following the UK Tories into long‑term decline.​The Jacks note One Nation's organisational maturation—building actual branches and volunteer networks in NSW and Queensland—and wonder whether Pauline Hanson herself now caps the party's potential.​45:20 – Kemi Badenoch, a revived UK Conservative Party and Reform's ceilingAttention swings to the UK, with fresh polling showing Labour slumping to the high teens, the Conservatives recovering into the high teens/low 20s, and Reform polling in the mid‑20s to low‑30s depending on the firm.​They credit new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for lifting morale by dominating Keir Starmer at the despatch box, but caution that Reform's rise may still be more protest than durable realignment.​49:45 – Fragmenting party systems in Europe and the UKDrawing on Michael Gove's comments, the Jacks sketch the new “four‑party” pattern across Europe—radical left/Green, social democratic, Christian Democrat centre‑right, and populist right—and argue the UK is slowly following suit.​They suggest both Labour and the Conservatives can no longer comfortably absorb all votes on their respective sides of politics, with Reform and Greens carving out durable niches.​53:05 – US seizes a Venezuelan tanker, Trump calls it the “biggest ever”The Jacks look at the US Coast Guard's seizure of a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker accused of moving Venezuelan and Iranian oil in support of foreign terrorist groups.​Joel notes Trump's boast that it's “the largest tanker ever seized”, while quoting Pam Bondi's more sober explanation of the sanctions basis.​54:45 – Five years of social media to enter the US?They examine a Trump‑era proposal to require even visa‑waiver travellers to provide five years of social media history before entering the United States.​The Jacks question the logistical feasibility, highlight the trend of travellers using “burner phones” for US trips, and argue measures like this would severely damage American tourism.​57:10 – SCOTUS, independent agencies and presidential powerThe Jacks discuss a pending US Supreme Court case about whether presidents can hire and fire the heads of independent agencies at will, with even liberal justices expressing sympathy for expansive executive authority.​They link this to a broader global question: how much power should be handed from elected ministers to expert regulators, and how hard it is to claw that power back once delegated.​01:00:25 – Trump's national security strategy and an abandoned EuropeThey turn to the Trump administration's new national security strategy framing Europe as both security dependent and economic competitor, and signalling an end to automatic US security guarantees.​The Jacks describe openly hostile rhetoric from Trump figures like J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio towards Europe, and portray it as part of a broader American drift into isolationism as China and Russia advance.​01:02:20 – Europe rearms: Germany, Poland and conscription talkThe conversation moves to European responses: big defence spending increases in Poland and Germany, and German plans to assess 18‑year‑olds for potential limited conscription.​Joel argues Europe may need to build its own strategic table rather than rely on a fickle US ally, while Jack stresses serious military capability is the price of a genuine seat at any table.​01:03:50 – Biden, the border and a blown political callThe Jacks examine a New York Times reconstruction of how the Biden administration mishandled southern border migration, from 75,000 encounters in January 2021 to 169,000 by March.​They say Biden officials badly underestimated both the scale of migration and the law‑and‑order backlash, including resentment from migrants who followed legal pathways.​01:07:05 – Migration then and now: Ellis Island vs the Rio GrandeJack recounts Ellis Island's history: the small but real share of arrivals turned back at ship‑owners' expense, and how many migrants later returned home despite being admitted.​They contrast a heavily regulated, ship‑based 19th‑century system with today's chaotic mix of asylum flows, cartels and porous borders, and argue that simple “open borders” rhetoric ignores complex trade‑offs.​01:09:55 – Americans know their ancestry, and that shapes the debateJoel notes how many Americans can precisely trace family arrival via Ellis Island, unlike many Australians who have fuzzier family histories.​He suggests this deep personal connection to immigration history partly explains the emotional intensity around contemporary migration and ICE enforcement.​01:10:30 – Ashes 2–0: Neeser's five‑for and Lyon's omissionSport time: Australia go 2–0 up in the Ashes with an eight‑wicket win at the Gabba.​The big call is leaving Nathan Lyon out for Michael Neser; the Jacks weigh Nesser's match‑turning 5/42 and clever use of Alex Carey standing up to the stumps against the loss of a front‑line spinner over key periods.​01:11:55 – Basball meets Australian conditionsThey discuss the limits of “Bazball” in Australia, praising Stokes and Will Jacks' rearguard while noting most English batters failed to adapt tempo to match situation.​Jack cites past blueprints for winning in Australia—long, draining innings from Alastair Cook, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahul Dravid—that hinge on time at the crease rather than constant aggression.​01:15:05 – Keepers compared: Alex Carey vs England's glovesJoel hails Carey's performance as possibly the best keeping he's seen from an Australian in a single Test, including brilliant work standing up to the seamers and a running catch over Marnus Labuschagne.​They contrast this with England's struggling keeper, question whether Ben Foakes should have been summoned, and note Carey's age probably rules him out as a future Test captain despite his leadership qualities.​01:17:05 – England's bowling woes and Jofra Archer's limitsThe English attack looks potent in short bursts, especially Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, but lacks the endurance to bowl long, hostile spells over a five‑day Test in Australian conditions.​Archer hasn't bowled more than 10 overs in an international match for over two years, and the Jacks argue that's showing late in games as speeds drop and discipline wanes.​01:25:45 – World Cup 2026: Trump's “peace medal”, Craig Foster's critiqueSwitching codes to football, they note FIFA awarding Donald Trump a “peace” medal ahead of the 2026 World Cup and his delight in placing it on himself.​Craig Foster attacks world football for embracing a US president he accuses of human‑rights abuses, prompting the Jacks to point out FIFA's recent World Cups in Russia and Qatar hardly make it a moral authority.​01:27:20 – Seattle's Pride match… Iran vs EgyptJack tells the story of Seattle's local government declaring its allocated World Cup game a Pride match, only to discover the fixture will be Iran vs Egypt—two teams whose governments are unlikely to embrace that framing.​01:27:55 – Stadiums in the desert and the cost of spectacleJoel reflects on vast, underused stadiums in the Gulf built for the World Cup and now often almost empty, using a low‑attendance cricket game in Abu Dhabi as an example of mega‑event over‑build.​01:29:05 – Wrapping up and previewing the final show of 2025The Jacks close Episode 138 by flagging one more episode before Christmas, thanking listeners for feedback—especially stories around the social media ban—and promising to return with more politics, law and sport next week.​a

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 Gabba00:00:25 – Jack the Insider (Joel Hill) opens episode 137 of The Two Jacks and notes they're recording just after midday on 4 December.00:00:36 – Quick chat about the looming day–night Test at the Gabba and the prospect it could finish very quickly.00:00:44 – Hong Kong Jack explains why dusk session timings in Hong Kong line up perfectly with “Asahi o'clock”.00:01:07 – The Jacks wonder which pink ball is in use – Duke or Kookaburra – and what that means for Mitchell Starc and the batters.00:01:30 – They flag that full cricket chat will come later in the episode.Tai Po Fire, Mourning and Accountability in Hong Kong00:01:53 – Jack the Insider pivots from sport to tragedy: an update on the Tai Po (Typo) fire in Hong Kong, now with 159 dead, from ages 1 to 97.00:02:07 – Hong Kong Jack describes the government‑ordered three‑day citywide mourning period, mass flower layings, official ceremonies and a three‑minute silence.00:02:35 – Discussion of schools cancelling Christmas parties and staff functions in solidarity; a sense the tragedy is being taken seriously across society.00:02:55 – Hong Kong Jack outlines the judge‑led inquiry: not only into the Tai Po fire's causes, but also systemic issues in building management and renovation contracts on large estates, with hints of corruption.00:03:30 – Evidence emerging that the green construction cloth lacked proper fire retardant and that flammable materials were used to seal lift wells, helping the fire move inside.00:04:23 – Bodies, including one man, found in stairwells and lobbies; Hong Kong Jack cautions against jumping to conclusions before investigators reconstruct the fire.00:04:53 – Arrest tally climbs to around 12, mostly consultants/contractors involved in management and renovations rather than labourers.00:05:35 – Hong Kong Jack notes large numbers of displaced residents in hotels and temporary accommodation and outlines generous government payments to families of foreign domestic workers killed (about HKD 800,000 per family).00:06:05 – A harrowing vignette: a Javanese truck driver receives a final phone call from his wife, trapped with her employers' baby, seeking forgiveness because there is no escape.00:06:35 – The Jacks reflect on the horror of the story and promise to revisit the inquiry as more facts emerge.Australia's Under‑16 Social Media Restrictions & VPNs00:06:50 – Jack the Insider turns to domestic Australian politics: the under‑16 social media restrictions about to kick in.00:07:05 – He notes overwhelming parental support (around 80%) but says the government is now “hosing down expectations” and reframing the policy as a long‑term “cultural change” effort.00:07:30 – Platforms not yet on the restricted list – Roblox and Discord – are flagged as problematic globally for child sexual exploitation, illustrating rollout gaps.00:08:05 – They discuss technical enforcement: existing account age data, length of time on a platform and the likelihood that some adults will be wrongly flagged but quickly reinstated.00:08:35 – Jack the Insider explains the government's theory of cultural change: a generation that grows up never having had TikTok or Instagram under 16 “won't know what they're missing”.00:09:00 – Hong Kong Jack compares Australia to mainland China's efforts to control the internet and points out China still can't stamp out VPN usage, predicting similar Australian difficulties.00:09:25 – Jack the Insider clarifies that VPNs are not illegal in Australia; about 27% of connected Australians already use one, probably now closer to a third.00:09:55 – He strongly recommends everyone use a VPN for privacy and location masking, and warns that good VPNs now explicitly advise not to choose Australia as an exit node because of the new regime.00:11:00 – They note that Malaysia and several European countries (Denmark, Spain, France and EU initiatives) are eyeing similar under‑age social media restrictions, with large fines (Australia's up to about AUD 50 million or 1% of turnover).00:12:20 – Meta is already scanning and booting under‑age users, but teenagers are sharing tips on evading age checks. Jack the Insider describes various age‑verification methods: selfie‑based AI checks, account age, and Roblox's move to ban under‑15s.00:13:45 – Anecdote about Macau security doing ID checks: Hong Kong Jack's son is checked for being over 21, while Jack's own age makes ID unnecessary—an amusing generational moment.00:14:55 – The Jacks agree the policy is unlikely to stop kids having TikTok accounts but might “nudge” behaviour toward less screen time.00:16:00 – Jack the Insider stresses the real dangers of the internet—particularly organised child sexual exploitation rings like the notorious “764” network—and questions whether blunt prohibition can solve these issues.Bruce Lehrmann, Appeals and Costs00:18:22 – They move to the Bruce Lehrmann defamation saga: his appeal has failed and he's likely millions of dollars in debt.00:18:45 – Discussion of the prospect of a High Court appeal, the low likelihood of leave being granted, and the sense that further appeals are “good money after bad”.00:19:22 – Jack the Insider notes outstanding criminal charges against Lehrmann in Toowoomba relating to an alleged statutory rape, and outlines the allegation about removing a condom after earlier consensual sex.00:20:07 – They discuss the probable difficulty of prosecuting that case, and then pivot to the practical question: who is funding Lehrmann's ongoing legal adventures?00:20:35 – Hong Kong Jack explains why some lawyers or firms may take on such cases for profile, despite poor prospects of payment, and they canvass talk of crowdfunding efforts.00:21:07 – The Jacks agree Lehrmann should have left the public stage after the criminal trial was discontinued; now, bankruptcy in 2026 looks likely.00:21:58 – Limited sympathy for Channel 10 or Lisa Wilkinson; more sympathy reserved for Brittany Higgins and Fiona Brown, who are seen as exceptions in an otherwise “pretty ordinary” cast.NACC, Commissioner Brereton and Conflicts of Interest00:23:24 – The Jacks turn to the National Anti‑Corruption Commission (NACC) and Commissioner Paul Brereton's side work for Defence.00:24:03 – Hong Kong Jack recounts Senate Estimates footage where officials first claimed Brereton's Defence consulting work occurred outside NACC hours, then later admitted more than ten instances (possibly close to 20) during NACC office time.00:25:25 – Discussion of conflict‑of‑interest: the Commissioner maintaining a paid Defence relationship while heading the body that may need to investigate Defence.00:25:57 – The Jacks question the tenability of his position, especially given the NACC's opaque nature, its minimal public reporting obligations and a salary around AUD 800k–900k plus expenses.The Struggling Australian and Global Economy, Productivity and ANZ00:26:20 – Jack the Insider outlines Australia's sluggish economy: inflation remains sticky, GDP growth is flat, and government spending is driving much of the growth.00:27:00 – They discuss a small, tentative rise in productivity (around 0.2% for the quarter) and the Treasurer's caution that productivity figures are volatile.00:27:57 – Hong Kong Jack stresses that historically, economies escape malaise through productivity‑driven growth; there is no easy alternative, in Australia or globally.00:28:23 – Broader global picture: the US isn't in outright recession but is crawling; Europe is sluggish; Poland is a rare bright spot but rapid growth brings its own risks.ANZ and Post‑Royal Commission Failures00:28:54 – Focus shifts to ANZ's continuing governance and compliance failures after the Banking Royal Commission.00:29:30 – Jack the Insider shares a personal story about dealing with ANZ's deceased estates department following his mother and stepfather's deaths and the difficulty in releasing funds to pay for funerals.00:30:20 – Justice Jonathan Beach's scathing remarks: ANZ is still mishandling deceased estates, charging fees and interest to dead customers, despite years of warnings.00:31:34 – They recall Royal Commission revelations about “fees for no service” and charging the dead, plus ANZ's recent exclusion from certain Commonwealth bond business due to rorting.00:32:12 – The Jacks see this as a clear culture problem: five years on, the basics still aren't fixed, suggesting inadequate investment in compliance and little genuine reform.UK Justice Backlog and Curtailing Jury Trials00:33:05 – The conversation moves to the UK's proposal to restrict jury trials for offences likely to attract less than a two‑year sentence.00:33:35 – Hong Kong Jack notes the English historical attachment to jury trials dating back to Magna Carta, and that defendants have long had the right to opt for a jury if imprisonment is possible.00:34:38 – Justice Minister David Lammy, once a fierce critic of similar Tory proposals, is now advancing the idea himself, creating a political shambles.00:35:02 – They weigh up pros and cons of judge‑only trials for complex financial crimes, where juries may struggle to follow long, technical evidence.00:36:10 – Jack the Insider points out that even judges can find such cases difficult, but there is at least some expertise advantage.00:36:22 – They revisit the Southport riots and harsh sentences for people inciting attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers, arguing that common‑sense community judgment via juries may be better in such politically charged cases.00:37:26 – Ultimately, they doubt the reforms will meaningfully reduce the UK's huge court backlog and see it as another noisy but ineffective response.Ethics in Politics, Misleading Voters and the “Ethics Czar” Problem00:39:21 – Discussion moves to the UK budget, alleged “black holes” and whether the Chancellor misled voters about a AUD 22 billion‑equivalent gap.00:40:14 – They examine calls for the Prime Minister's ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, to rule on ministerial truthfulness, and Hong Kong Jack's discomfort with handing moral judgment to “anointed officials”.00:40:51 – The Jacks argue accountability should rest with Parliament and ultimately voters, not appointed ethics czars, whether in the Johnson era or now.00:41:36 – In Australia, Tony Burke's handling of “ISIS brides” returning to Australia is cited: he asked officials to leave a meeting so he could talk politically with constituents. The Jacks see this as legitimate hard‑headed politics in a very complex area rather than an ethical scandal.00:43:03 – Jack the Insider defends the principle that Australian citizenship must mean something, especially for children of ISIS‑linked families; stripping citizenship or abandoning citizens overseas can be a dangerous precedent.00:44:08 – Anecdotes segue into a broader reflection: politicians have always misled voters to some extent. They quote stories about Huey Long and Graham Richardson's defence of political lying.00:45:24 – They swap observations about “tells” when leaders like Malcolm Turnbull or Julia Gillard were lying; Scott Morrison, they say, had no visible tell at all.00:46:22 – Cabinet solidarity is framed as institutionally sanctioned lying: ministers must publicly back decisions they privately opposed, and yet the system requires that to function.Ukraine War, Peace Efforts and Putin's Rhetoric00:46:42 – The Jacks discuss reports of draft peace deals between Ukraine, the US and Russia that Moscow rejected over wording and guarantees.00:47:17 – Jack the Insider describes a gaunt Foreign Ministry spokesman, not Sergey Lavrov, delivering Russia's objections, sparking rumours about Lavrov's status.00:47:56 – Putin goes on TV to reassure Russians they're winning, threatens destruction of Europe if conflict escalates and claims territorial gains Russia doesn't actually hold.00:48:17 – Hong Kong Jack argues European fantasies of imposing a “strategic defeat” on Russia are unrealistic; retaking all occupied regions and Crimea would exact unbearable costs in lives and money.00:49:33 – The Jacks infer that Putin will eventually need to “sell” a negotiated deal as a victory to his own public; his current bluster is partly domestic theatre.00:49:50 – They note some odd, Trump‑like US talk of structuring peace as a “business deal” with economic incentives for Russia, which they find an odd fit for a brutal territorial war.Trump's Polling Collapse, Economic Credibility and 202600:50:13 – Attention turns to Donald Trump's polling in his second term: his net approval is negative across all major polls, in some cases approaching minus 20.00:51:04 – Jack the Insider highlights Trump's recent promises of USD 2,000 cheques to every American plus no income tax—claims they see as fantastical and electorally risky when voters inevitably ask “where's my money?”.00:51:39 – They compare Trump's denial of inflation and cost‑of‑living pressures to Biden's earlier mistakes in minimising pain; telling people “everything's cheaper now” when their lived experience contradicts that is politically fatal.00:52:34 – Hong Kong Jack notes history shows that insisting things are fine when voters know they aren't only accelerates your polling collapse.00:53:02 – They briefly touch on a special election in Tennessee: a safe Trump district where the Republican margin has shrunk. They caution against over‑reading the result but note softening support.00:54:14 – CNN's Harry Enten is quoted: this has been Trump's worst ten‑day polling run of the second term, with net approval among independents plunging to about minus 43 and a negative 34 on inflation.00:55:15 – They speculate about what this means for the 2026 midterms: Trump won't be on the ballot but will loom large. A future Republican president, they note, might still face governing without a Congressional majority.Disability, Elite Colleges and the Accommodation Arms Race00:56:07 – The Jacks discuss Derek Thompson's forthcoming Atlantic piece on surging disability registrations at elite US colleges: more than 20% at Brown and Harvard, 34% at Amherst and 38% at Stanford.00:57:10 – Hong Kong Jack explains how disability status yields exam and assessment advantages: extra time, flexible deadlines, better housing, etc., and why wealthy students are more likely to secure diagnoses.00:57:48 – They cite intake breakdowns at one college: small numbers for visual/hearing disabilities, larger numbers for autism, neurological conditions and especially psychological or emotional disabilities—suggesting a big shift in what counts as disabling.00:58:45 – Jack the Insider counters that many of these conditions were under‑diagnosed or ignored in the 1970s and 80s; growing recognition doesn't automatically mean fraud.00:59:40 – He brings in chronic conditions like ME/CFS: historically treated as malingering or “all in the head”, now increasingly accepted as serious and often disabling.01:00:02 – Hong Kong Jack quotes a Stanford professor asking, “At what point can we say no? 50%? 60%?”—underlining institutional concern that the system can't cope if a majority claim accommodations.01:01:05 – They wrestle with the employer's problem: how to interpret grades achieved with significant accommodations, and whether workplaces must also provide similar allowances.01:02:21 – Jack the Insider's answer is essentially yes: good employers should accommodate genuine disability, and it's on applicants to be upfront. He stresses diversity of ability and that many high‑achieving disabled people are valuable hires.01:03:40 – Hong Kong Jack remains more sceptical, shaped by long legal experience of people gaming systems, but agrees lawyers shouldn't be the priestly class defining morality.Cricket: India–South Africa, NZ–West Indies, BBL and the Gabba01:04:25 – They pivot back to sport: a successful South African tour of India, including a series win in Tests and a 1–1 one‑day series with big hundreds from Virat Kohli, Gaikwad and Aiden Markram.01:05:31 – Quick update on New Zealand's Test against the West Indies in Christchurch, with New Zealand rebuilding in their second innings through Ravindra and Latham.Women's Cricket and Phoebe Litchfield01:06:19 – Jack the Insider raves about the Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat game and singles out Phoebe Litchfield as the best women's batter in the world: technically sound, not a slogger, scoring “runs for fun” and hailing from Orange.Gabba Day–Night Test: Australia v England01:06:50 – With Usman Khawaja out, they discuss the unchanged 12 and whether Bo Webster plays, potentially pushing Travis Head up to open.01:07:39 – For England, Mark Wood hasn't recovered; they bring in Will Jacks, a batting all‑rounder and part‑time spinner, to bolster the order but lose their fastest bowler.01:08:11 – If you win the toss? Bat first, they say—if the conditions allow—and look to control the game with the bat for four hours or more.01:08:44 – They caution that with recent heavy Queensland rain, the pitch could be juicy whether you bat first or second; the key is getting cricket on Saturday.01:08:48 – Hong Kong Jack rates this as the best England attack to tour Australia in a long time, especially with Wood and Archer firing in Perth, although Archer's pace dropped markedly in the second innings.01:09:36 – They dissect England's first‑Test collapse: at one stage it was an “unlosable” match according to Ponting and the stats, but reckless strokes from set batters (Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook) handed it back to Australia.01:09:55 – Mitchell Starc's extraordinary home day–night record—averaging around 17 with the pink ball—looms as a big factor.Franchise Cricket, Empty Stadiums and Saving the Red‑Ball Game01:12:11 – Jack the Insider describes watching the ILT20 in the UAE: near‑empty stands, disengaged fielders and an overall “soulless” spectacle aimed solely at TV viewers in South Asia and the Gulf.01:13:49 – Despite his love of cricket, he worries this is a glimpse of the future if the longer formats aren't protected and nurtured. He pleads, in effect, for saving Test and other red‑ball cricket from being cannibalised by anonymous franchise leagues.Class and Cricket: Private Schools, Clubs and Stuart Broad01:14:11 – The Jacks explore the class divide in English cricket: all but one of England's Perth XI finished school at private schools; the sole exception is captain Ben Stokes, who grew up partly in New Zealand.01:15:05 – In contrast, Australia's pathway still runs largely through club cricket, though private schools with professional coaching (like Cranbrook) give some players a head start.01:15:47 – Jack the Insider notes Sam Conscientious (Sam Constance / Cummins reference is implied) spending two years at Cranbrook, reflecting how elite schools build academies with ex‑first‑class coaches that state systems can't match.01:16:20 – They agree state‑school kids like the Waugh twins still come through club cricket, but in England, some top private schools effectively operate as de facto county academies.01:17:31 – Anecdotes about Stuart Broad: a likeable “nepo baby” of former England player Chris Broad, who was toughened up by a formative season at Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne sub‑district cricket. Local players loved him.01:18:20 – Hong Kong Jack recommends Broad's appearance on The Front Bar as essential viewing for understanding his character and the cultural contrasts between English and Australian cricket.01:18:40 – More class culture: Chris Cowdrey, briefly England captain, shows up in full whites and blazer to toss with Viv Richards in surf shorts and thongs. When Cowdrey starts reading out England's XI, Viv cuts him off: “Mate, I don't care who you play, it's not going to make any difference.”F1, Oscar Piastri's Bad Luck and AFLW Glory01:21:11 – Brief detour to Formula 1: Oscar Piastri's season with McLaren seems dogged by terrible luck and questionable team decisions that have cost him a near‑certain championship.01:21:57 – Jack the Insider reflects on how F1 drivers like Piastri have effectively been in vehicles since toddlerhood, climbing the ladder from go‑karts to supercars.01:22:50 – They express hope he can clinch the title in the final race, but wryly note that F1 rarely grants fairytale endings.AFLW01:22:23 – AFLW: North Melbourne complete an undefeated season to win the premiership, comfortably beating Brisbane in the grand final.01:23:07 – Hong Kong Jack praises it as the best AFLW season yet, with marked improvement in depth and skill across the competition. North remain the benchmark everyone else must chase.Wrap‑Up, Tom Stoppard Anecdote and Season Timing01:23:49 – The Jacks look ahead to watching the Gabba Test, beers on ice for Jack the Insider and the late Hong Kong dusk session for Hong Kong Jack.01:24:01 – They note the death of playwright Tom Stoppard at 88 and share a favourite story: Spielberg offers him the Jaws screenplay; Stoppard declines because he's writing a play—“actually for BBC Radio”.01:25:11 – Final reflections on how Stoppard would have improved Jaws, then a note that the podcast will soon reach its final episodes for the year, with plans to feature listener feedback before a short summer break.01:25:56 – Jack the Insider signs off, thanking listeners and Hong Kong Jack, and promises they'll be back next week.

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 TitlesBears, Budgets, and the Billion-Dollar InterfaceThe BOM Shell, Hong Kong Fires, and Pink Ball TacticsBamboo Scaffolds and Bureaucratic BlowoutsFrom the Kowloon Hills to the Gabba: Bears, Bombs, and BazballEpisode BlurbIn 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 KongHong 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 SwimA 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 BrazilA 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 FiascoJoel 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 ContinuesAnalysis 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 ServiceInflation 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 DealThe 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 ShamblesReaction 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 CrisisThe "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 JapanAn 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" LabelDonald Trump's surprisingly civil meeting with NY political figures (Zohran Mamdani) despite previous name-calling. Plus, the dismissal of the James Comey and Letitia James indictments.[01:18:19] Cricket: The Gabba Pink Ball TestPreviewing the Test Match. Can England recover from their Perth tactics? The debate over Scott Boland's bowling, Mitchell Stark's form, and why it's time to call time on Usman Khawaja. The Jacks predict tactics for the swinging pink ball.[01:28:41] India's Coaching WoesAfter a 2-0 drubbing by South Africa at home, Gautam Gambhir's tenure is under the microscope.[01:31:05] AFLW Grand Final PreviewBrisbane Lions vs. North Melbourne at Princes Park. North are on a historic winning streak, but can the Lions cause an upset?[01:32:48] Racing & Offshore BettingA look at the leakage of wagering revenue to offshore operators and James Packer's recent comments on tax.

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 JackEpisode DescriptionJoin 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 Notes00:00:25 - Welcome & Oaks Day ChatThe 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 AbandonedThe 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 ExodusOver 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 ProblemSenator 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 MinorJack 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 GrowingOne 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 TroublesCommissioner 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 DisasterThe 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 AnnouncementChris Bowen announces three hours of free solar power daily for homes with smart meters in NSW, SE Queensland, and SA. Hong Kong Jack calls it "smoke and mirrors" - really just an attempt to shift demand to low-usage periods.​00:38:16 - Streaming Services Must Fund Aussie ContentNew laws will require streaming platforms to invest 10% of expenditure or 7.5% of revenue in Australian content. Hong Kong Jack immediately asks if 98% can go to true crime documentaries.​00:41:56 - Coalition Support Crashes to Record Low 24%Newspoll shows Coalition primary vote at just 24%, down from 40% in February. Combined with Labor's 33-34%, less than 60% of voters support the major parties - down from 80% in 2004.​00:44:39 - Andrew Neil: The Death of Centre-Right PartiesDiscussion of Andrew Neil's speech to the Centre for Independent Studies about how conservative parties have lost the metropolitan, educated "lanyard class" who were once their base. The UK Conservatives now hold just 9 metropolitan seats.​00:48:34 - The Great Inversion: Rich Counties Vote DemocratIn the 1950s, Republicans won 56% of America's richest counties. In 2024, Democrats won 190 of the 200 richest counties. The establishment institutions - universities, judiciary, civil service - have all shifted centre-left.​00:51:19 - US Employment & Immigration CrackdownUS unemployment sits at 4.3%, but labor shortages are emerging as ICE sweeps up workers and visa costs skyrocket to $100,000. Meanwhile, Trump's disapproval rating hits 63% - the highest of either term.​00:52:53 - Virginia & New Jersey: Democrats DominateTuesday's elections saw Democrats win overwhelmingly in traditionally blue areas, with every single county shifting toward Democrats - the complete reverse of 2024's presidential election pattern. Latino voters showed 30% leads for Democrats.​00:59:28 - Cost of Living Kills AdministrationsBoth Trump and Biden made the same mistake: telling Americans inflation is under control while grocery bills say otherwise. The New York mayor-elect won by focusing relentlessly on reducing childcare and living costs.​01:02:21 - Trump Has the World's Biggest Laser PointerDiscussion of how Trump controls the news cycle while Americans struggle with real costs. "Trump has the biggest laser pointer in the world and all the media are cats" chasing wherever he points it.​01:03:23 - Millennials Aren't Becoming ConservativeUnlike previous generations, millennials in their 40s with mortgages and kids aren't shifting right. They continue voting left, with Liberals only leading in the 65+ demographic (52-48). Housing affordability drives cynicism and socialist sympathies.​01:07:20 - New York's New Socialist MayorMandami wins NYC mayor's race with strong support from new arrivals who feel they'll never get a fair go. Long-time residents still voted for the corrupt Andrew Cuomo, knowing what a "terrible human being" he is.​01:09:13 - News in BriefEuropean firms create $6.5B SpaceX rival - Hungary begs for Russian oil exemption - Israeli startup raises $60M for sun-reflecting climate tech that could disrupt weather - Gaza rebuilding cost hits $70B - Trump companies made $1B in crypto profits - North Korea builds museum for Ukraine war dead - Ireland elects grim anti-NATO president who toured Syria with Assad.​01:13:55 - Supreme Court Tariff ShowdownSCOTUS hears arguments on Trump's emergency tariff powers - a 50-50 call that could force refunds of all tariff money collected and potentially save the presidency by making him walk it back.​01:16:45 - Government Shutdown & Dick Cheney's DeathThe shutdown continues as 9 of 10 states most reliant on food assistance are red states. Dick Cheney dies at 84, described by critics as someone who should have been tried as a war criminal and by W as "among the finest public servants of his generation."​Suggested Episode Titles"The Coalition's 24% Problem""Net Zero to Hero: How the Nats Torpedoed the Libs""Worst Opposition in 40 Years: Coalition Chaos""Millionaires, Millennials, and the Death of Conservative Politics""The Laser Pointer Presidency: Trump's Media Circus""From Major to Minor: The Liberal Party's Long Goodbye""Cost of Living: The Killer That Never Misses""Susan Ley's Impossible Choice: Net Zero or Political Oblivion"Next Episode: Episode 134Produced by: Joel (currently surviving law school exams)Thanks for listening to Two Jacks - where Australian and international politics get the analysis they deserve.

AI slop shownotes as usual. Apologies for delay.Episode recorded: October 31, 2025Hosts: Joel Hill (Jack the Insider) and Jack (Hong Kong Jack)Episode Title Suggestions:"Halloween, Heists, and the House of Windsor""From Prince Andrew to Patriotism: A Global Round-Up""The Great Unraveling: Royals, Republics, and Rock T-Shirts""Crown Jewels, Cricket, and Cultural Appropriation""Episode 132: When Privilege Meets Reality"Show Notes with Timestamps00:00:26 - Welcome & Halloween CelebrationsThe 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 DebateJack 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 DownfallDeep 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 SuccessionDiscussion 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 DollarAnalysis 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 ProtectionThe 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 RevivalTracing 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 StrengthJack'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 MarketColes 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 BarrierReserve 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 RebrandsPauline 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 HeistUpdates 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 MinisterJapan'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 BigJavier Milei's landslide midterm victory (41% of the vote) raises questions about Trump's financial bailout and the role of foreign aid in domestic politics.00:59:15 - Gaza Ceasefire and Hamas ControlAnalysis of the fragile Gaza ceasefire, Hamas reasserting control, and the impossible dilemma of who will enforce peace when no country wants the casualties.01:02:17 - Anthony Albanese's Joy Division T-ShirtThe controversy over the PM wearing a Joy Division band t-shirt (with Nazi concentration camp origins) off the VIP plane. Jane Hume's dismissal: "Anyone wearing a rock band t-shirt is a bit naff."01:05:32 - APEC Conference in South KoreaTrump's meetings with Xi Jinping and other Pacific leaders, with results to be determined in the coming months.01:06:41 - Politicians and Fake BackstoriesFrom George Santos to Gavin Newsom claiming he lived on "Wonder Bread and mac and cheese" despite being from wealthy Getty-connected family. Kevin Rudd's "homeless" car story and Malcolm Turnbull's Double Bay childhood. The Jeanette Howard story: insisting her train driver father be called a "locomotive engineer."01:11:30 - Iran's Hijab RetreatAfter executing protesters over headscarf enforcement, Iran suddenly pulls back on restrictions. Are US and Israeli strikes forcing the regime to moderate for survival?01:13:47 - The Richest Counties FlipAndrew Neil's observation: In Eisenhower's era, Republicans won 190 of the 200 richest US counties. In 2024, Kamala Harris won 190 of the 200 richest counties—a complete reversal showing the transformation of party alignment.01:15:40 - Women's Cricket World CupAustralia's women lose to India in a thrilling semi-final despite Phoebe Litchfield's brilliance. The hosts argue it's good for the sport to not have one team dominate indefinitely.01:17:21 - Ashes Selection SpeculationDebate over Australia's top six for the Perth Test: Khawaja and Manus to open, with Smith, Head, Green, and Webster rounding out the batting order. Steve Smith's incredible captaincy stats: averaging 70 with 16 centuries.01:22:16 - England's Jofra Archer ProblemQuestions about whether England will risk selecting injury-prone Archer despite no first-class cricket since July and missing New Zealand ODI games.01:23:02 - Manchester City's Penalty DramaErling Haaland's bizarre penalty miss against Sporting Lisbon becomes an instant meme as City struggles through another challenging season.01:24:50 - NBA & NHL UpdatesRound-up of basketball and hockey action, including standout performances and playoff implications.01:26:08 - Oasis Reunion in CrisisLiam Gallagher's voice problems threaten the reunion tour. Discussion of whether the band can survive without Liam's vocals and Noel's brilliance.01:29:18 - Music RecommendationsThe hosts share their latest musical discoveries, from classic rock to contemporary artists making waves internationally.01:34:24 - Vegetarian Beef WellingtonJack's bemusement at a restaurant advertisement for "vegetarian beef Wellington"—perhaps a bit too soon after recent cultural controversies.01:35:10 - Closing & Next Week's PreviewSign-off with promises of more Trump administration coverage, US job figures, corporate layoffs, and the Democrats' failure to deliver on "jobs, jobs, jobs."Key Themes This Episode:Royal family crisis managementCopyright in the AI ageAustralian patriotism and immigrationUnintended consequences of prohibition policiesPolitical authenticity vs. manufactured backstoriesSport as cultural common groundTwo Jacks returns next week for Episode 133 with deep dives into Trump's White House, US economic indicators, and more global affairs analysis.