Podcasts about south australian

In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderfully adventurous Jos Middleton - mental health leader, ultra runner, traveller, volunteer, reluctant road marathoner and someone who seems genetically incapable of doing anything by halves. Jos grew up in Scarborough in the north of England, surfing in the freezing North Sea, playing sport and dreaming of one day living in Australia. Her early adventures weren't exactly uneventful. At just 13, Jos broke two bones and fractured and displaced another in her neck after hitting a sandbar while surfing. She somehow paddled back to shore, sat on the beach for several hours, carried half the family's belongings back to the car - and only then went to hospital. Years later, a climbing fall at the You Yangs left her with three fractures in her heel, four pins and weeks unable to walk. Two enormous accidents. Two reminders that Jos is very lucky to be both alive and moving. And moving is something she has always loved. Jos trained as a mental health nurse after growing up in a rather unusual home - quite literally inside the nursing home her mum purchased so she could care for Jos's father, who had Alzheimer's disease. After moving to Australia in 2009, Jos spent five years working in Melbourne before heading off with her partner to find “Australia”. They lived in a tent, climbed, mountain biked, worked on sheep stations and travelled their way around the country. While working on a remote South Australian property, a farmer told Jos that he believed she had saved his life. Jos hadn't been consciously working as a mental health nurse. She had simply spent time beside him, listened, helped and joined him in the daily work of the property. That experience planted the seed for what would become Jos's career in rural and remote mental health. Today, she leads a mental health and wellbeing program across Far North Queensland, with a strong focus on supporting First Nations communities. So where does running fit into all of this? Jos arrived at running later. A few occasional parkruns and a relaxed 21-kilometre trail “picnic with friends” eventually led to plans to travel to Sierra Leone and complete a half marathon. COVID stopped the trip - but it didn't stop the ripple effect. Instead, Jos and her friends created Makeways Foundation (https://makewaysfoundation.org/) , which collects second-hand sporting clothing and equipment from around Australia and sends it to Sierra Leone. The foundation has now shipped multiple containers, opened Sierra Leone's first second-hand sportswear store, employed local staff and a running coach, supported young athletes and created running opportunities within local communities. Last year, Jos finally made it to Sierra Leone and completed the marathon alongside the people the foundation supports. And because Jos doesn't do things by halves, her first ultramarathon wasn't exactly a gentle local event. She chose the 50-kilometre Simpson Desert Ultra in Birdsville. Naturally. Since then, Jos has completed events including Three Marathons in Three Days, Run Larapinta, Surf Coast Century, Margaret River Ultra, Kuranda to Port Douglas, the Sierra Leone Marathon and the Wheelbarrow Race - an event where competitors push an empty wheelbarrow over multiple days. She is now stepping temporarily away from the trails after “falling into” the Melbourne Marathon ballot, while also dreaming of taking on Marathon des Sables in 2028. We talk about adventure, running later in life, surviving injuries, fitting training around constant work travel, the Cairns heat, strength training, community and why Jos wants to continue running forever. Jos's approach to events is wonderfully refreshing. She isn't chasing a particular placing or allowing a finishing time to determine whether the experience was worthwhile. She wants to enjoy the adventure, dig deep, feel grateful for every step and bring some joy to the experience. And when things become difficult? Jos doesn't want to quit while sitting comfortably in the chair. She wants to stand up and give it another go - even if she only manages two more steps. Jos's Running Tips Plan around real life Jos travels regularly for work, so she asks for her training plan early and works out where each session can realistically fit. She packs her running gear before travelling rather than hoping an opportunity appears. Include strength work When knee pain appeared during a run, Jos realised she had a choice: ignore it and potentially follow a path of ongoing problems, or actively strengthen her body. She now includes personal training, physio exercises and strength sessions alongside her running. Find the right support Working with a coach who understood injury recovery helped Jos rebuild her running and improve her form. Be flexible when injured Running is important to Jos, but it isn't her entire identity. When she can't run, she cycles or finds another way to move rather than believing everything has been taken away. Stop comparing hot-weather pace Running through a Cairns summer slows Jos down, but she reminds herself that the conditions are temporary. Training in the heat can also create an endurance advantage when racing in cooler conditions. Choose an experience-based goal Rather than judging every event by time or placing, Jos focuses on enjoying the adventure, embracing the challenge, digging deep and finding gratitude along the way. Stay grateful for movement Jos's body has been through some enormous challenges. Even when it struggles, she remains grateful that it continues to let her move, explore and run. Pass the Baton Jos answers Nagiska Mayes's question: “When you eventually look back on your running life, what's one thing you'd love to know you gave a go - whether it's a race, a challenge, an experience, or something deeply personal?” Her answer takes us into backyard ultra thinking, endurance and why she never wants to quit while still sitting in the chair. Jos then passes a thoughtful new question to the next ZenRUN Podcast guest. What did she ask? You'll need to listen to the episode to find out. This is a beautiful conversation about running, adventure, community, purpose and what can happen when we remain curious enough to keep giving things a go.

If you’ve ever felt that nagging sense that the South Australia you were promised at the ballot box isn’t quite the one being delivered, this episode is for you. Stewart Sweeney arrived in Adelaide in 1975 to work inside the Dunstan government’s industrial democracy unit, and fifty years later he’s applying that same insider’s eye to a premier he believes is running the tobacco industry’s old doubt-sowing playbook against the citizens fighting to save the Park Lands. It’s a long, unhurried conversation – fitting, Steve notes, for an episode built around a Negroni “made to be sipped slowly and savoured.” On that note, before the main event, in the SA Drink Of The Week, Alexis and Tina Cattley – the show’s resident cocktail authorities – put Never Never’s Panettone Negroni through its paces, fresh off its win as World’s Best Contemporary Cocktail at the 2026 World Drink Awards in London. And in the Musical Pilgrimage, Adelaide music legend John Schumann returns with the Vagabond Crew to perform and unpack “Rag-tag Extremist Blues,” the song born directly from Malinauskas’ now-infamous put-down of Park Lands protesters. You can navigate episodes using chapter markers in your podcast app. Not a fan of one segment? You can click next to jump to the next chapter in the show. We’re here to serve! The Adelaide Show Podcast: Awarded Silver for Best Interview Podcast in Australia at the 2021 Australian Podcast Awards and named as Finalist for Best News and Current Affairs Podcast in the 2018 Australian Podcast Awards. And please consider becoming part of our podcast by joining our Inner Circle. It’s an email list. Join it and you might get an email on a Sunday or Monday seeking question ideas, guest ideas and requests for other bits of feedback about YOUR podcast, The Adelaide Show. Email us directly and we’ll add you to the list: podcast@theadelaideshow.com.au If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or other podcast sites, or buy some great merch from our Red Bubble store – The Adelaide Show Shop. We’d greatly appreciate it. And please talk about us and share our episodes on social media, it really helps build our community. Oh, and here’s our index of all episode in one concisepage. Running Sheet: Rag-Tag Extremists 00:00:00 Intro Introduction 00:04:32 SA Drink Of The Week There SA Drink Of The Week this week is Never Never Panettone Negroni. Steve, self-declared “Negroni newbie,” calls in reinforcements for this one: returning cocktail experts Alexis and Tina Cattley, last on the show refereeing a Crows-versus-Power gin showdown. They start with a reference Negroni built by Alexis from Never Never triple juniper gin, a Ruby Bitter in place of Campari, and a small-batch Rosso vermouth from David Franz, north of Adelaide – a drink Steve describes as landing “like a cloud-like pillow,” with a gentle bitter-orange finish. Tina, a self-described “Negroni naysayer” put off by Campari’s bitterness, finds herself won over by how the flavours linger and play off one another. Then comes the star of the segment: Never Never’s bottled Panettone Negroni, fresh from being crowned World’s Best Contemporary Cocktail at the 2026 World Drink Awards in London, and born behind the bar of the brand’s McLaren Vale distillery door before going nationwide. Built from triple juniper gin, a bitter citrus aperitif, sweet vermouth, aged muscat, orange liqueur, rye distillate and vanilla bean, it lands as something else entirely – “IMAX Christmas cake inside my mouth,” in Steve’s words. Alexis reckons it’s the perfect entry point for Negroni sceptics and a ready-made Christmas gift (buy two bottles, he warns – one won’t survive the wait), while Tina, newly vindicated in her Campari aversion, likens it to a sherry or port with all the spiced-cake flavour of the season, minus the traditional Negroni’s lingering bitterness. 00:18:51 Stewart Sweeney Stewart Sweeney has spent fifty years watching power slip loose from democratic control, and he’s watched a lot of it from the inside. In January 1978 he was working inside the Premier’s department when Don Dunstan sacked his own police commissioner over the Salisbury affair – a decision a Royal Commission later vindicated. Nearly fifty years on, Steve posits that the shoe is now on the other foot: where Dunstan acted because he felt deceived by an official, he contends today’s citizens are the ones being deceived, by a premier “savaging our Parklands for a golf tournament and a motorcycle race.” Sweeney’s own arrival in South Australia is a story in itself. A Glaswegian socialist who’d been coaching tennis in upstate New York and found himself unexpectedly unemployed back in Scotland, he stumbled into a tutoring job at the University of Tasmania, landed – almost by accident – in the middle of the Lake Pedder fight, and was introduced to the Democratic Labor Party within his first week in the country by his next-door neighbour, a young Gerard Henderson. From there it was a short hop to Adelaide and Don Dunstan’s Unit for Industrial Democracy, where Sweeney worked alongside economist Phil Bentley on an initiative to bring worker participation into South Australian workplaces – and where, as a footnote that says a great deal about how political communication has evolved, a young Mike Rann landed his very first Adelaide job doing media for the unit. Steve puts it to Sweeney that this early media training was the first real sign of rot in the system – the moment premiers became unreachable, hiding behind stage-managed doorstops instead of being interviewed. Sweeney doesn’t fully disagree, though he tempers it: whatever else came of it, Rann’s genuine gift was for writing speeches fast and communicating big-picture ideas clearly, “sort of decades before AI.” The conversation’s sharpest edge comes when Steve puts the government’s own numbers to Sweeney: the premier’s claim that only 585 of the Park Lands’ roughly 9,000 trees are affected by the disputed golf and motorsport development, against Park Lands management’s markedly different tally. Sweeney names the mechanism he believes is at work – the doubt strategy pioneered by the tobacco industry against the medical evidence on smoking. You don’t need to win the argument, he explains – you just need to plant enough doubt to keep people from acting on their convictions. Layer social media on top of that old tobacco-industry trick, he argues, and doubt becomes exponentially more powerful. Steve adds a live example of his own: an anti-protester Facebook page mocking demonstrators as “NIMBYs,” liked by the premier and half his ministry, that nobody in Labor will admit to running. None of this is abstract history for Sweeney – he’s a park guardian for Park 11 North, and he brings real texture to what’s actually at stake. He unpacks his argument that Adelaide’s Park Lands and squares are treated as “available” land rather than civic inheritance – fenced off for events for weeks at a time, repeatedly re-turfed and re-fenced in what he calls an annual cycle of “fence, event, repair” – and traces the intellectual lineage of the neoliberal thinking now driving those decisions back to a 1949 gathering in Switzerland convened by Friedrich Hayek. He also charts how a shrinking, disciplined leadership pipeline – what he only half-jokingly calls “Farrellism,” after Senator Don Farrell – has narrowed South Australian Labor’s internal debate at exactly the moment its base is most restless, evidenced by the wave of Adelaide residents telling him online, in effect, “I loved Peter Malinauskas, but now I hate Peter Malinauskas.” Sweeney closes on a note that’s more hopeful than the rest of the conversation might suggest. Reaching for the “world systems” thinking that has shaped his outlook for three decades, he reminds listeners that empires, ideologies and premierships all eventually give way to something else – pointing to the radical London reformers who dreamed up the idea of Adelaide in the first place, and to public servant Wainwright, whose ideas quietly transformed the Playford-era economy, as proof that a handful of good ideas, patiently pursued, can still redirect a small regional economy like ours. Further articles by Stewart Sweeney Manufacturing Doubt: Peter Malinauskas’s Political Weapon Think “outside the fence” Power without power: Is Farrellism Labor’s solution or its problem? Productivity is the symptom. Rentier capitalism is the disease 01:45:23 Musical Pilgrimage In the Musical Pilgrimage this week we listen to Rag-Tag Extremist Blues by John Schumann & The Vagabond Crew. The episode closes with John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew performing “Rag-Tag Extremist Blues” – a song that exists purely because Peter Malinauskas dismissed Park Lands protesters with that exact phrase. Schumann, a good deal more measured these days than in his fiery Redgum years, tells Steve he “grabbed it and expanded on it,” deliberately framing his cast of extremists as ordinary South Australians: a retired teacher, a war veteran, taxpaying citizens who’ve never broken a rule in their lives. He’s candid that his fear is less about the golf course – “that boat’s sailed” – and more about the MotoGP development still to come, and about a public whose attention span, he admits, will inevitably wane long before the next election. Streaming and download proceeds go directly to the Adelaide Park Lands Association, and the band will donate part of every ticket sold for their show at The Gov on 29 August to the same cause. Link to all things John Schumann including links to upcoming shows and musicSupport the show: https://theadelaideshow.com.au/listen-or-download-the-podcast/adelaide-in-crowd/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers reporting soggy paddocks and bogged tractors after a wet year to date in parts of SA, confidence high among SA's Stud Merino Breeders in the lead up to on property ram sales, and commercial fishers impacted by the algal bloom still awaiting a pathway forward from the government.

The State Government gives its first approval for a company to operate virtual fencing technology in SA, backlash grows over plans to allow more of a so called "forever chemical" onto berries, and Australia's right-to-repair reforms for agricultural machinery back in the spotlight.

In this episode of The Research Files, Teacher editor Jo Earp is joined by Mason Zhou and Professor Dot Dumuid to talk about a South Australian study into the impact of secondary school transition on student wellbeing. One of the key findings is it's not a short-term dip – students may be struggling in their second year, too. Host: Jo Earp Guests: Mason Zhou, Professor Dot Dumuid

Australia has produced its smallest vintage in 25 years but the reduced national crop didn't result in stronger grape prices, the United States is investigating whether it should impose tariffs on Australian lamb and the Cowell Agriculture museum is on the hunt for more volunteers to help with keeping a restored steam tractor ticking along.

An Australia-first collaboration will see people trained up to identify signs of bird flu in wild birds around the state, synthetic seaweed additives have been shown to be method of reducing methane emissions from livestock and the largest block of intact Mallee left in Australia is home to many threatened bird species and no feral goats.

Confusion in the market as Australia officially reached its quota for beef sent to China, the wheat export industry to a self-regulated system over the next three years, and an increasing number of self-fertile varieties of almond trees planted in Australia.

The H5 strain of bird flu detected in an Australian seabird for the first time, at Robe in SA's south east, Australia's chemical regulator criticised for delays in processing and approving new products for farmers, and the levy cattle producers pay when they sell their animals under review for the first time in two decades.

Welcome to your late podcast. A snapshot of the latest stories... ** The first detection of H5N1 bird flu in a local Australian bird. ** The Telstra outage confirmed not to be linked to a South Australian's death ** and the passing of veteran broadcaster and former Senator The biggest news stories delivered three times a day with reports from across Australia and overseas. Subscribe now to make it part of your daily news diet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers reiterate calls for a Universal Service Obligation following this week's nationwide Telstra outage, Wool Producers Australia says its decision not to participate in the Future Flock Strategy have been validated, and testing finds mainland Australia's seed potatoes are free of Potato Mop-Top virus.

The Country Hour broadcasts live from LambEx at the Adelaide Convention Centre, consultation underway on the Future Flock initiative, and growing demand for Australian lamb form American consumers.

Restrictions on King George Whiting eased for recreational fishers in all SA waters, changing appetites believed to be behind a decline in plant-based food options, and the Royal Adelaide Show introduces new merino classes in an Australian-first.

Oh my god don't get RSV it's so shit. We will be back with TCRP soon. My brain has been goats cheese. It's been a hell of a fortnight but there's a lot going on and it must be laughed at. In the meantime, here is a plethora of Jacks to satiate your auspol cravings. This week the shownotes are slopped to you by GPT 5.5 - which seems to have done an okay job and also sounds a lot less 'chatGPT' which is nice. The titles are way less shit than usual. Maybe that sociopathic compulsive liar Sam Altman is onto something. Nah. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------In episode 163 of The Two Jacks, recorded on 2 July 2026, Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack take a wide-ranging look at the political, economic and sporting stories shaping Australia and the world.The episode opens with Australia's housing market, including recent house price falls, the risks facing first home buyers using the 5 per cent deposit scheme, and the dangers of negative equity. The Jacks then turn to the striking rise of One Nation, debating whether the surge is a genuine long-term disruption in Australian politics or partly a mirage fuelled by social media, disinformation and dissatisfaction with the major parties.Victorian politics comes under close scrutiny, with discussion of Moira Deeming, the Matthew Guy allegation, Jess Wilson's leadership, and Jacinta Allan's handling of the Big Build controversies. Internationally, the episode covers Andy Burnham's likely move into Downing Street, Keir Starmer's defence spending announcement, Trump-era decision-making as explored in Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman's book, congressional stock trading in the United States, and the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war.The show wraps with sport, including Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket, England's reckless loss to New Zealand, the future of Bazball, World Cup football, State of Origin, AFL fixturing and Australia's women's cricket team reaching another World Cup final.00:00:25 — Welcome to Episode 163Jack the Insider opens the show and marks the start of the new financial year in Australia. Hong Kong Jack joins from Hong Kong, where the previous day marked Reunification Day, the anniversary of the handover to the People's Republic of China.00:01:10 — Housing Prices, First Home Buyers and Negative EquityThe Jacks begin with Australia's housing market and recent reports of price declines in suburbs with strong uptake of the 5 per cent deposit scheme. They unpack the risk of highly leveraged first home buyers falling into negative equity, where the debt on a property exceeds its current market value.Hong Kong Jack recalls the early 1990s Melbourne housing market, when banks were reluctant to sell distressed inner-suburban properties because doing so would have further damaged the market. The discussion compares that period with the global financial crisis in the United States and Ireland, where property crashes led to widespread foreclosures.00:04:00 — Can Australian House Prices Keep Rising?The conversation turns to whether Australian housing can continue producing the large capital gains many homeowners have come to expect. Jack the Insider argues that prices in Sydney and Melbourne cannot keep rising at the same pace without locking younger buyers out of the market.Hong Kong Jack makes the broader point that Australia's tax and investment settings have made owner-occupied housing unusually attractive compared with other investments, contributing to long-term affordability problems.00:06:36 — Could Money Shift from Housing to the ASX?Jack the Insider speculates that if housing becomes less reliable as an investment vehicle, more money may flow into equities and the Australian share market. The discussion also touches on the weak outlook for CBD commercial property, with work-from-home trends continuing to affect demand.00:07:25 — The 5 Per Cent Deposit SchemeThe Jacks assess the Albanese government's 5 per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers. Hong Kong Jack says it may provide some help for young people trying to enter the market, but it is not a magic solution to housing affordability.They discuss the practical challenge of borrowing large sums with very little equity, especially if prices flatten or fall. The risk for banks and borrowers is that buyers may end up with little or no equity for some time.00:10:41 — The One Nation SurgeThe episode moves to One Nation's rise in the polls. Jack the Insider notes that One Nation polled around 6.5 per cent nationally at the previous federal election but is now polling far higher, with some figures placing the party in the 20s.The Jacks discuss possible reasons for the surge, including public dissatisfaction with the major parties, the political aftermath of the Bondi terror attack, and the way right-wing voters are shifting away from the Coalition.00:11:48 — Social Media, Bots and the “Mirage” of One NationJack the Insider raises concerns about foreign influence, AI-generated videos, disinformation and bot-like social media activity targeting Australian politics. He cites examples of fake or misleading material involving Natalie Barr, Anthony Albanese and claims about Labor figures selling property after the budget.He argues that some of the online activity appears designed to attack both the government and the Coalition while indirectly benefiting One Nation. He describes part of the One Nation surge as a “mirage”, while acknowledging that real-world results, such as the South Australian election and the Farrar by-election, show the party has genuine support.00:18:20 — Is One Nation the Biggest Political Disruption Since World War II?Hong Kong Jack argues that, even allowing for some mirage factor, One Nation's polling makes it the biggest disruption to Australian politics since World War II. He compares the party's current position with the historical performance of the DLP, Australian Democrats and Greens, none of which reached similar national polling levels.Jack the Insider counters that One Nation's rise appears to be splintering the right-wing vote rather than pulling substantial support from Labor or the left. The Jacks agree the Liberal Party has a major strategic problem: it must rebuild its primary vote while deciding how directly to confront One Nation.00:21:56 — What Should the Liberal Party Do?The Jacks discuss the Liberal Party's path back to competitiveness. Hong Kong Jack says the party should stop obsessing over polls and focus on hard policy work, local campaigning and the basics of politics.Jack the Insider argues the Liberals will eventually need to attack One Nation directly. His view is that conservative voters must be told clearly that a vote for One Nation is likely to help return Labor to government or create instability.00:23:38 — Pauline Hanson, Policy Uncertainty and Senate AttendanceJack the Insider criticises Pauline Hanson's policy understanding and parliamentary work ethic, citing her position on maternity leave and Senate attendance. He argues that One Nation's shifting policy framework and uncertainty will become more apparent under greater scrutiny.The Jacks also discuss preference flows and whether the Coalition can rely on One Nation preferences if the right-wing vote remains fragmented.00:26:51 — Moira Deeming, Matthew Guy and the Victorian LiberalsThe conversation shifts to Victorian Liberal politics. Jack the Insider discusses Moira Deeming, who is likely to face disendorsement, and says Jess Wilson appears to be handling internal party discipline more effectively than previous Liberal leaders.The Jacks examine Deeming's allegation involving Matthew Guy and the CCTV footage that emerged afterward. Jack the Insider argues that the Victorian Liberals must deal firmly with internal destabilisation if they are to present themselves as a credible alternative government.00:31:00 — Don Farrell on One Nation and the Bondi AttackHong Kong Jack notes that Labor frontbencher Don Farrell has attributed One Nation's rise partly to Coalition division and partly to a post-Bondi surge. Jack the Insider questions whether the Bondi attack will become a lasting voting determinant, suggesting it may prove to be a temporary political factor.The discussion also covers One Nation and the Greens voting against proposed bans on hate preachers, despite rhetoric about the issue after Bondi.00:33:08 — Newspoll, Labor's Position and Coalition TroubleJack the Insider discusses polling showing Labor improving, One Nation slipping slightly and the Coalition struggling. He argues that the Coalition must win back a large share of One Nation's support if it is to become competitive.The Jacks consider whether One Nation has reached its high watermark or whether the movement has deeper staying power. They also note that Labor and the Greens together remain in a strong position if the conservative vote continues to fracture.00:38:08 — Jacinta Allan and Victoria's Big Build ProblemsVictorian Premier Jacinta Allan comes under scrutiny over the Big Build projects and allegations surrounding inflated costs and union influence. The Jacks discuss reporting by The Age's investigative unit and Nick McKenzie, including claims about contractors being asked whether they could do deals with unions.Hong Kong Jack says Allan's position looks increasingly terminal, while Jack the Insider says there is widespread anger among Victorians toward the government. They agree the timing of the controversy is politically damaging for Labor.00:41:07 — Could Victorian Labor Replace Jacinta Allan?The Jacks debate whether Victorian Labor has the courage or capacity to replace Allan before the election. Jack the Insider argues that taking over now would be a political kamikaze job, given the scale of Labor's problems.They compare Allan with Daniel Andrews, whom Jack the Insider describes as a much stronger communicator and political operator. The discussion also considers whether Labor still has a narrow path to victory if the right-wing vote splits between the Liberals, One Nation and other parties.00:45:35 — The Age, “Uniparty” Claims and Victorian Labor's DefendersHong Kong Jack shares a social media post attacking The Age as part of a supposed One Nation-Liberal-National “uniparty” media operation. The Jacks use it to illustrate the type of rhetoric surrounding Victorian politics and the difficulty Labor faces as corruption and governance issues dominate the debate.00:46:46 — Joh Bjelke-Petersen Comparisons and Victorian CorruptionThe conversation touches on comparisons between Victoria's current political troubles and the corruption scandals that brought down Joh Bjelke-Petersen in Queensland. Jack the Insider notes commentary suggesting that corruption can become the defining factor that ends a long-running government.They also discuss the relationship between Victorian Labor and sections of the union movement, including the role of unions in major construction projects.00:50:30 — Andy Burnham's UK ProgramThe Jacks move to UK politics and Andy Burnham's expected rise to the prime ministership. Hong Kong Jack outlines Burnham's program, including a proposal to govern partly from Manchester and devolve more power to regions and councils.Jack the Insider frames this as part of a broader devolution agenda. Hong Kong Jack is sceptical, arguing that devolution has not clearly succeeded in Scotland or Wales and may not deliver the growth Burnham is promising.00:53:59 — Keir Starmer's Defence Spending AnnouncementKeir Starmer's proposed defence spending boost comes under scrutiny. Hong Kong Jack argues the numbers do not add up and describes the announcement as “smoke and mirrors”.The Jacks also discuss Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's performance at Prime Minister's Questions and how she may find Burnham a tougher opponent than Starmer.00:56:59 — “Died” or “Passed Away”?In a lighter aside, the Jacks discuss euphemisms around death, particularly the increasingly common use of “passed” or “passed away”. Hong Kong Jack says he prefers plain language and warns Jack the Insider not to say he has “passed” when the time comes.00:58:28 — Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman and Trump's Decision-MakingThe conversation moves to the United States and the book by Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman. Jack the Insider discusses material about Trump's decision-making style, particularly the tendency to favour gut instinct even when advice from officials points in another direction.The Jacks discuss US decision-making around Iran and the dangers of ignoring structured advice in favour of personal instinct.01:04:11 — AI, Congress and Insider TradingThe Jacks discuss claims that AI tools have exposed widespread conflicts between congressional stock trades and the legislative work of US politicians. The system described cross-references stock purchases with bills and committee activity.Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack stress that this is a bipartisan problem, not confined to one party or one administration. They note that the STOCK Act was intended to address congressional trading conflicts but has not produced meaningful enforcement.01:08:47 — Trump, Crypto, Wealth and CorruptionThe discussion broadens to Donald Trump's personal enrichment, including crypto ventures, the Qatar jet issue and business opportunities involving Trump family members. Jack the Insider argues that Trump appears to be benefiting heavily from his second term.Hong Kong Jack says the presidency is difficult to regulate in this area, while Congress has shown little willingness to police itself.01:13:36 — Russia-Ukraine War UpdateJack the Insider discusses Ukrainian drone strikes near Moscow, including attacks on fuel infrastructure and refineries. The Jacks note reports of fuel shortages, long queues and unrest at Russian service stations.Hong Kong Jack explains that Ukraine appears to be targeting specific refinery components that Russia cannot easily replace. The Jacks also discuss reports of Russian troop movements, the pressure on Crimea, and the possibility of political instability inside Russia if the war continues to turn against Moscow.01:18:34 — Drone Warfare and Moscow's VulnerabilityThe Jacks reflect on how drone warfare has transformed modern conflict. Jack the Insider describes footage of Ukrainian drones reaching Moscow while Russian air defences fired ineffectively.They note that when the invasion began, few expected Ukraine to hold out for years, let alone gain the upper hand in key areas through targeted strikes and technological adaptation.01:20:15 — Ben Stokes Retires from International CricketThe sports segment begins with Ben Stokes' surprise retirement from international cricket. Jack the Insider describes watching the announcement unfold during England's Test against New Zealand and says the moment shifted the entire atmosphere of the match.The Jacks argue that England's focus turned into a farewell lap for Stokes rather than a serious attempt to win or save the Test.01:22:10 — England's Reckless Chase and New Zealand's Great WinThe Jacks criticise England's approach to the run chase, including the decision to open with Stokes and the reckless batting that followed. They praise New Zealand for a disciplined, hard-fought victory and highlight Daryl Mitchell's courageous century on a difficult wicket.Hong Kong Jack says New Zealand's series win deserves major recognition, especially given their record away from home under their captain.01:25:16 — New Zealand's Strength and England's Bazball ProblemThe Jacks discuss New Zealand's strengths: preparation, fielding, resilience and intent. They contrast this with England's loose approach and the possible end of the Bazball era.Jack the Insider says Ben Stokes has been a wonderful player and match-winner but argues that England now faces serious leadership and management problems. The Jacks debate the futures of Brendon McCullum, Rob Key and England's Test setup.01:32:19 — World Cup, France and BrazilThe Jacks briefly discuss the World Cup, noting the difficulty of keeping track of the tournament but identifying France as looking particularly strong. Brazil and Norway are also mentioned as teams to watch.01:32:47 — State of Origin PreviewThe conversation turns to State of Origin, with the Blues heading to Lang Park. Jack the Insider says New South Wales have only rarely won a series decider there and does not see it happening this time.01:33:15 — AFL Fixtures and Broadcast FrustrationsThe Jacks preview upcoming AFL matches, including Geelong versus Brisbane, Sydney versus the Bulldogs, and Richmond versus Carlton. Jack the Insider questions the logic of the AFL fixture, particularly overlapping games and the lack of Saturday afternoon free-to-air football.01:36:19 — Australian Women's Cricket Team Reaches Another FinalJack the Insider notes that Australia's women's cricket team has reached another ICC World Cup final after beating India. England and South Africa are due to play for the other spot in the final.He praises the Australian side for remaining a powerful force despite changes from previous line-ups.01:37:11 — Listener Feedback and Sign-OffJack the Insider closes the episode by thanking Hong Kong Jack for his opinions and preparation. Listeners are encouraged to send in comments, criticisms and issues they would like the Two Jacks to tackle in future episodes.Hong Kong Jack jokingly asks listeners not to send anything complimentary.-- Dunno why it did this but it gave another show description? Whatever nobody is still reading at this point. Short Episode DescriptionJack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack unpack Australia's housing jitters, the risks facing first home buyers, One Nation's polling surge, and the Coalition's strategic dilemma. They also examine Victorian Labor's Big Build troubles, Jacinta Allan's leadership problems, Andy Burnham's UK agenda, Trump-era decision-making, congressional stock trading, Ukraine's drone war against Russia and a huge week in sport, including Ben Stokes' retirement and New Zealand's Test triumph over England.Long Episode DescriptionIn episode 163 of The Two Jacks, Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack begin with Australia's housing market, where falling prices in some first home buyer suburbs raise questions about the 5 per cent deposit scheme and the risk of negative equity.The major political focus is One Nation's dramatic rise in the polls. Is it a genuine realignment of Australian politics, the biggest disruption since World War II, or partly a mirage inflated by social media, disinformation and frustration with the major parties? The Jacks examine what this means for the Liberal Party, why the conservative vote is splintering, and how Labor may benefit.In Victoria, the Jacks look at Moira Deeming, Matthew Guy, Jess Wilson, Jacinta Allan and the Big Build controversies that continue to put pressure on the state government. Overseas, they discuss Andy Burnham's UK program, Keir Starmer's defence spending claims, Trump's reliance on instinct over advice, AI-driven scrutiny of congressional stock trading, and Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian fuel infrastructure.The episode finishes with sport: Ben Stokes' international retirement, England's disastrous Test loss to New Zealand, the future of Bazball, World Cup football, State of Origin, AFL fixturing and Australia's women's cricket team reaching another final.

State farming organisations express concern about the Future Flock process, trials underway in SA into how to grow lucerne without paraquat, and calls for better regulation around data centre projects in regional Australia.

This Week on the Toy Power Podcast; we have Special Guest: Sean in the Studio to chat all things DC related, with a big focus on Batman & the wider Justice League themselves. Kicking things off, we have our routine Get-To-Know-You questions. Then with a Fantastic recent visit to see Sean's Awesome Collection in person; we highlight a few things to chat towards; including the very controversial & quickly banned Jarts Toy from the early 1960's. Then we get into a discussion about Batman. Everything from Batman 66' & why that particular TV Run is so special to Sean. Highlights about the Batmobile & it's Origins; all the way covering the dynamic characters in the Show! We next pivot across to the Ground-Breaking Toy-line that was Kenner Super Powers. With Sean's expertise about the line, the variants & waxing on just why this particular Toyline out-shines many other interpretations of Super Heroes in Toy form. Then backing up that Super Powers discussion; we entertain another segment of The Team! This round focusing purely on the Heroes from the Kenner Super Powers Run! (with a purpose adjustment to the line-up, so that some certain characters don't get all the Votes!) - Who would you have picked?? Enjoy this fun filled ep! In this episode we promote Sean's good friend Glenn Pluck - whom crates Fantastic Acrylic Cases for your Toys & Collectables. Be sure to check out his Business site: Ultimate Figure Protection on all the social sites or directly via his Website: www.ultimatefigureprotection.com Milestone Episode #450 will be Broadcast LIVE on Facebook & potentially other streams, on Saturday July 11th @8pm (Adelaide, South Australian time). Tune in for Visual Fun, Interaction & Give Aways! Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A suspected case of H5 avian influenza detected in a wild bird for the first time now in NSW, farmers across parts of South Australia buoyed by a very wet start to July, and the Goat Industry Council of Australia proposes a levy increase for producers.

The ACCC fines a major dairy producer over allegations it misled consumers on fresh milk labels, calls for more resources to tackle the management of buffel grass in SA, and researchers investigating using spider venom to attack the parasitic 'Varroa destructor' mite.

Changes arrive to wages, superannuation, food labelling, and fuel charges with the start of a new financial year, bee industry representatives meet at an emergency roundtable to discuss managing varroa mite, and SA's duck season closes on schedule amid advice to monitor birds for potential signs of bird flu.

Urea fertiliser prices start dropping closer to pre-Middle East conflict levels, work continues to repair hundreds of roads damaged by heavy rains earlier in the year, Australia's pork industry calls for country of original labelling for its products.

Episode #287 with Taylor and Adam. Come send it with the boys, as we discuss - Pissing off European's, Being in Primary School, South Australian get aways, Jetstar, Access Canberra, Germany, Simon Peter Carman, Mexican Batman, Pastor Spell, Karl Stefanovic, and much more... Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/bigsendpodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@bigsendpodcast Patreon BoSodes(Bonus Episodes): https://patreon.com/BigSendPodcast Please forward all complaints to: bigsendpodcast@gmail.com

SA egg producers take measures to keep their flocks safe from the growing risk of bird flu, an emergency roundtable called to find the next actions on managing varroa mite, and Australian consumers driving a surge in demand for olive oil.

This Week on the Toy Power Podcast; we have HEAPS of awesome Pop Culture News & Announcements to cover!! But at the very Top of our list, is the extremely exciting announcement that Trent is a contestant again on Lego Masters Australia! This Bricktacular Event will be held over four episodes & he is a part of a team of three - consisting of himself, Alex & Felix! We wish him good-luck in advance! Then onto Toy News with McFarlane Super Powers Officially revealing their wave 14 line-up; plus One:12 Collective announce an awesome Vintage style Punisher figure with ALL the Guns! Another Godzilla figure from Super7 & so many G.I. Joe figures, its hard to keep up with! Star Wars Black Series 'Expands their Universe', plus a neat addition to the Archie Comic Book Figure line-up that rounds out the set of Mighty Mutanimals. A Blind-Box offer of TMNT figs from Playmates that doesn't impress us much; but Batman media announcements & release dates certainly has us hyped indeed. Then we round out the ep with a Classic segment of Reading, Watching, Playing. Ben praises The Absolute Batman Comics, Frank appreciates the Supergirl film, Scot is impressed by the 'Obsessions' film; & Trent is flying the Aussie Flag for the World Cup Soccer! All this & More! Enjoy!! Milestone Episode #450 will be broadcsast LIVE on Facebook & potentially other streams, on Saturday July 11th @8pm (Adelaide, South Australian time). Tune in for Visual Fun, Interaction & Give Aways! Support the show: http://patreon.com/toypowerpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Egg farmers urge consumers to continue buy and eat South Australian eggs and chicken products, farmers look at what other options they have for weed control as the fight to ban paraquat continues, and a five-year dung beetle exchange between SA and north-west Tasmania a success.

Confirmation that the deadly H5 strain of bird flu has been detected on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, farming groups raise concerns over the potential implications for agriculture from AI data centres, and Murray-Darling Basin communities across four states have their say on the future of the Basin Plan.

Australia's veterinarians say the H5 bird flu detection highlights a need for urgent investment in the profession, the State Government announces $500,000 for the South Australian industrial hemp industry, agronomists look to help growers manage crops with a reduced rate of diquat and paraquat.

A newly elected Scottish MP crosses her fingers while giving the oath of allegiance, a South Australian council wants to spend ratepayer money trialling pop up bike lanes. Plus, should other passengers be more forgiving when kids play up on flights?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When an Adelaide podcast listener contacted me recently about a potential interview with Glynn Pretty, I couldn't get things under way quickly enough. In the 60's and 70's this man's reputation was as solid as any top jockey in the nation. He spent a lot of time out of Australia fulfilling contracts in Singapore and Hong Kong, but whenever back in Adelaide he promptly reminded owners and trainers why people like Bart Cummings were so lavish in their praise. A dreadful fall in Hong Kong in 1978 was expected to terminate his career. Six years later he made a comeback and rode 50 winners in a year before quitting for good.  Glynn put a lot back into racing following his official retirement, and at age 80 is still involved with the SA Racing Appeals Board. He's also enjoyed the thrill of horse ownership, especially an involvement with talented mare See You In Heaven. The daughter of Divine Prophet won six races for her ownership team, all at stakes level. We begin by talking about Glynn‘s love of the game of golf.  The former star jockey looks back on 15 years as President of the South Australian Jockey's Association. Glynn's very proud of the part he played in the establishment of the SA Jockeys Academy in conjunction with TAFE. He explains how it works and acknowledges some of the great riding talents to come under his tutelage. He looks back on his inclusion in a team appointed by Stereline in the 90's to visit the USA on a promotional tour. The goal was to showcase the starting gates and running rails manufactured by the company in Australia. While in America Glynn saw jockey's safety vests for the first time. He quickly floated the idea in Australia. He talks of his collaboration with the Australian Jockeys Association in introducing a better form of indemnity insurance for injured jockeys. Glynn talks of childhood days in Adelaide and his battle with asthma. He was actually allergic to horses. He talks of his original apprenticeship organised by his father Stan. Things went terribly wrong soon after he started at the Morphettville stables of Bob Burrows. Glynn says he left racing altogether for more than a year but later regenerated an apprenticeship with trainer Bert Kenny. The legendary Colin Hayes came into the equation at one stage. Pretty remembers his first ever race ride at Strathalbyn and the magic of his first win at Cheltenham. There was enormous sentiment attached to this win. He recalls the traumatic circumstances under which his father lost his life in a motor accident. We simply let Glynn reminisce about some of the better horses he got to ride early in his career. Galilee and Light Fingers make for a good start. Dayana also gets an honourable mention. He speaks fondly of Hampton's Pride, one of the most expensive yearlings sold in Australia in the 1960's. Glynn speaks of wins in the famous Adelaide double the Goodwood Hcp and Adelaide Cup. His wins came one year apart. He looks back on wins in races like the SA St Leger, Port Adelaide Cup and SA Oaks. Glynn  remembers his flying start the first time he took on a retainer in Singapore. He rode for just 9 months of the season but finished second in the premiership. He looks back on 4 consecutive years as Singapore's champion jockey. Glynn was stunned when awarded a rare honour after so little time in Singapore. He talks of wins in some of the jurisdiction's most important races. He says SA premierships were never on his radar because of the time he spent out of the country. He was however proud of a South Australian premiership after returning from Singapore  in the 1970/71 season. He talks of three amazing retainers he was forced to decline during his career. One of them came from the UK. Glynn  talks of the success he enjoyed in HK and his injury toll after the fateful 1978 accident at Happy Valley. He looks back on two other interesting feature wins in the early 70's- one in Queensland the other in Melbourne. Both winners were trained by Bart Cummings. Glynn never won a Melbourne Cup but says it could have been different had he been in the right place at the right time. He remembers a Singapore marriage to his late wife Gladys and the whereabouts of daughter Jodie and son Troy.  Glynn Pretty's reputation as one of the best jockeys of his generation was set in stone. Just ask any racing man who was around in the 60's and 70's. Great to have him on the podcast. Old timers will enjoy his recollections. Younger racing fans will be impressed by the merit of his achievements.  

Australia's chemical regulator allows farmers to continue to use paraquat under tighter restrictions, farmers worry restricted use of the herbicide will lead to great resistance and lower quality crops, and wildlife groups call for $200million to be dedicated to protecting Australia's fauna from H5 bird flu virus.

SA responds as Australia's first ever detection of the H5 strain of bird flu is confirmed in WA, Australian farmers await an imminent decision on the future use of paraquat, and a nationwide project underway to try and reduce methane emissions from sheep.

This time of year bare-rooted roses are readily available in South Australian garden centres. But what does it take to create a rose, produce a new rose variety and have it be available to the public?

Concerns for farmland and water as AI data centres proposed for rural SA, Farina Station is the state's far north sells at auction for $2.75million amid strong interest, and Australian research continues to find new non-chemical methods to control varroa mite.

South Australian politicians vote for laws that allow biological men to identify as the "mother" on their child's birth certificate, the PM performs a CGT backflip. Plus, a UK council wants to make it illegal to fly the Union flag near roads.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fuel and fertiliser concerns push SA farmer confidence into negative territory despite a better season rainfall-wise, research into an alternative to shearing to remove sheep fleece enters a new phase, and beekeepers gather at the SA Apiarists Association Conference to hear challenges & opportunities in varroa treatment.

Three more government-backed urea shipments expected to arrive for Australian farmers in the coming weeks, a fertiliser importer says the government's intervention has distorted the market and hurt competition, and PIRSA confirms the detection of treatment resistant varroa mite in the Riverland.

Two major players in the Australian wool market set to merge, concerns over regional Australia's growing reliance on satellite internet service Starlink, and a family-owned SA winery wins a National Wine Show award for the 3rd time.

Meet the 97-year-old grazier, who still gets up for work each day on his sheep and cattle property in far west NSW, and the goat industry have been a hive of activity in recent months, so what is the state of the industry. And after a few weeks of use, have the double strength mouse baits been helping producers?

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.

Australia on track to produce the nation's biggest ever crop of lentils, a new report finds Australian ag "desperately under prepared" for a shortage of honey bee pollination, and South Australians recognised for their contribution to the ag sector in King's Birthday honours.

It's a week into winter, and South Australian garden centres are packed with deciduous trees and stone fruits ready to be transplanted in your home garden.

We unpack what is and isn't in the State Budget for the state's ag sector, Treasury Wine Estates plans to move away from around half of its wine labels, and police warn farmers to be vigilant over fuel thefts amid high diesel prices.

The BOM confirms that May was one of the wettest on record for parts of SA, data shows SA on track for an average season as crops emerge earlier than usual, and the government assures farmers there's enough fertiliser to produce this year's winter crop.

Our guests this week are PASH. The South Australian indie pop four-piece have been making serious noise on the Australian music scene, wearing influences like INXS and The 1975 proudly while building a sound, aesthetic and identity rooted firmly in their Adelaide heritage. Last year the band - Jett, Orlando, Nic and Dan - signed a worldwide deal, and their self-titled sophomore EP, out now, marks another confident step forward for one of the country's most promising young acts. On today's episode, the whole band joins us to discuss the sophomore EP and the expectations they place on themselves to reach bigger audiences with each release, the origins of PASH and the development of their unabashedly Australian pop rock sound, and the thriving Adelaide music scene and what's behind the current wave of artists breaking out of the state.PASH  : Instagram / SpotifyVisit our official website here and follow us across our socials.

The SA Country Hour broadcasts live from the southern hemisphere's largest horticulture event, veggie growers react to this week's announcement of a minimum wage increase, and researchers try to help understand viral food trends to increase fresh produce sales.

South Australian farmers are rushing to purchase CCTV cameras to protect their diesel supplies amid increasing concern about fuel theft since the war in the Middle East broke out

Simon Price hasn't ridden in a race for five years but still spends plenty of time in the saddle. He's at Morphettville trackwork three mornings a week, and has a regular presence at the barrier trials and jumpouts. With sons Will and Ben both forging successful riding careers in Adelaide, Price Snr is content to take a back seat these days. Simon's CV credits him with close to 2000 winners including a host of black type features. At the height of his career he had regular support from many leading stables and a strong public following. In response to several requests for an interview with the talented horseman I'm pleased to say job's done! Simon joins us on this week's podcast to look back on his very rewarding career.  He talks about his Morphettville trackwork involvement three times a week for some discerning trainers. Simon says he also works a “day job” at a prominent landscaping business owned by an old friend. He looks back on a snap decision in 2020 to relocate to NSW at the request of former South Australian horseman Sam Kavanagh. Simon recalls going all the way to Mudgee to ride his first winner for Kavanagh. The veteran says a Tamworth success on More Sundays for Kavanagh was his last winning ride. Simon pays tribute to Sam Kavanagh who died after a short illness 18 months ago. He looks back on childhood days in Adelaide and pays tribute to his parents. Simon recalls the unlikely circumstances that would trigger his introduction to horses. He talks of early tuition from George Davison and a subsequent apprenticeship to Peter Hayes at Oakbank.  Simon says Peter Hayes was a thoughtful boss who encouraged him to ride for other trainers. He clearly remembers his first race ride at Cheltenham and his first win at a now defunct racecourse close to the Victorian border. The fifty five year old remembers the support he received from some prominent Adelaide trainers. He looks back on a “loan-out” to Cranbourne trainer Colin Alderson. During this time Peter Hayes sent a horse to Melbourne to run in the inaugural C.S Hayes Stakes at Moonee Valley. Young Simon gained the ride and it was a dream result. We randomly reminisce with Price about some of his favourite horses beginning with the Russell Cameron trained Shavano Miss- an unpleasant mare with great ability. Simon looks back on a surprise phone call from the Waterhouse stable and the offer of a Doncaster ride. He thought someone was “pulling his leg.”  He looks back on a brief association with the Leon Corstens trained Cherontessa which led to a win in the Gr 1 South Australian Oaks. Simon couldn't believe his luck when history repeated itself the following year. WA owner Bob Peters sent Miss Margaret to Peter Hayes for a three race campaign. Simon got the ride and won the Gr 3 Auraria, ran second in the Australasian Oaks before winning the Gr 1 South Australian Oaks.  The jockey enjoyed several successful stints in Singapore including one twelve month stay. He was delighted to win the 1998 Gr 1 Singapore Gold Cup on the Malcolm Thwaites trained Three Crowns. It was the last Cup to be staged at the Bukit Timah track. Six weeks later Simon rode Three Crowns in the Melbourne Cup, and was deeply saddened when the genuine gelding broke down at the top of the straight. Simon had little hesitation in declaring Fields Of Omagh to be the best horse he rode in a race. The jockey was on board for three of the gelding's South Australian wins. One of those wins was at Cheltenham the other two at Victoria Park. Both tracks have subsequently been closed. Price had a big opinion of the brilliant but unsound mare La Baraka. He won two Group 3 races on the daughter of Euclase and hasn't forgotten her glaring conformation faults. Most Adelaide jockeys greatly value wins in the Goodwood Hcp and the Adelaide Cup. He regrets not being able to win either. He ran second in both races to horses ridden by the same top Victorian jockey. Simon says a busy work routine has helped him deal with a difficult time since the passing of his wife Belinda. He pays tribute to sons Will and Ben and daughter Abby who has in turn given him two adored grandsons. The elder Price reviews the careers so far of sons Will and Ben. Both young jockeys are currently settled in Adelaide where they're getting good support from prominent stables.  I remember the days in the broadcast box when I'd watch Adelaide races in between Sydney events. Simon Price won a huge number of those races. Great to welcome him as a podcast guest.   

CEO of South Australian Dairyfarmers' Association reflects on the broad variation in opening milk prices, SAFCOL turns the sod on an $80 million investment in food processing in Adelaide and the 2026 Impact Report from the International Fresh Produce Association released today shows how Fruit and Veggies Yummy Yummy campaign has helped drive fruit and veggie consumption in Australia.

A taskforce tries to progress approval and rollout of a footrot vaccine for Australian producers, eyes turn to Australia and Argentina to see how global grain prices will develop this year, and Renmark records a huge month of rain and breaks long standing May records.

Down Underdark is a feral Aussie D&D adventure where a fearless wildlife documentary crew throw themselves headlong into the fantastical world of the Forgotten Realms. These lovable larrikins will let no slimy appendage nor any number of hairy legs bar them from their mission to share their love of the unlovable, the creepy and the downright horrifying denizens of that other Down Under.Down Underdark is produced on the land of the Kaurna people with support from the Government of South Australia through CreateSA.~*~*~*~*~*~Support us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/c/roletocastJoin us on Discord:https://discord.com/channels/579601517011664896/930650448954789938Dungeon Master - Phil Harker-SmithMyrtle Irwin (no relation) - Ellen GrahamJohn ‘Newt' Newton - Sean FlierlLucky - Zola AllenAndy Jenkins - Chris BondEdited by Sean FlierlProduced by Chris Bond and Phil Harker-SmithTheme Song by ABSoundsCover Art by Megan BirdDown Underdark is produced on the land of the Kaurna people - we pay respect to their elders and acknowledge Aboriginal people as traditional owners and occupants of South Australian land, sky and waters.Down Underdark is produced with support from the Government of South Australia through CreateSA.WE HAVE A NEW PODCAST! GOING LIVE WED APRIL 22ND, 8AM ACST (TUE APRIL 21ST, 6:30PM ET)Down Underdark! The Brand new Australian D&D Comedy Podcast!SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kUUznqbdqQ6sv59XKXOYyACAST: https://shows.acast.com/down-underdarkFortnightly episodes, and the trailer is up now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.