The Conditional Release Program

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

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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 Notes

In 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 Sequel

The Iran War: Jack and Joel discuss the lack of an exit strategy in the escalating conflict involving Israel, Iran, and Lebanon

Intelligence 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 Predators

The 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 Court

The 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 summary

A 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 alone

Long-term departures hit 101,932 in 2023 — remarkable for a nation of 5.3 million

NZ GDP per capita: USD 49,000 vs. Australia's USD 69,000

New Zealand has been in negative GDP growth since December 2024, but is forecasting ~4% growth in the next financial year

Australia 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 cycle

Brief discussion on Jacinda Ardern's post-Harvard career options and what Julia Gillard's post-PM trajectory looks like by comparison

🗳️ The Leaked Liberal Party Review

[00:07:44]

The suppressed post-mortem of the coalition's catastrophic 2025 federal election loss has been leaked — ultimately tabled in Parliament by PM Albanese himself, making it public. Jack the Insider has read the first version of the 64-page document.

The review was always going to leak; opposition leader Angus Taylor's attempt to suppress it backfired spectacularly

Key findings: breakdown in relationship between Peter Dutton's office and the federal campaign director; policy made without clear authorship

Jane Hume named for two damaging gaffes — claiming Chinese spies were handing out how-to-votes for Labor, and overstating the case against work-from-home (she later apologised to The Australian's industrial relations reporter Ewan Hannan)

The work-from-home policy has no identifiable author

Dutton still insisting he was ahead in polls in February

Discussion of Labor's own 2019 review and the broader lesson for parties about not releasing policy too early

🏢 Star Casino Federal Court Ruling

[00:19:05]

A breaking story: the Federal Court has handed down adverse findings against two former Star Entertainment executives in a landmark corporate governance case.

Former CEO Matt Bekier and former Chief Legal Officer Paula Martin found to have breached Section 180 of the Corporations Act (duties of care and diligence) between 2017–2019

Justice Michael Lee (described as "the busiest judge in the country") cleared seven other board members including former ARU chair John O'Neill

Sanctions yet to be handed down; ASIC likely to weigh in

The broader discussion covers the structural problem with casino business models: regulatory compliance around money laundering may be fundamentally incompatible with profitability

Crown Melbourne's tribulations and multiple royal commissions also referenced, including a colourful anecdote about a criminal money-laundering operation that went badly wrong

🏠 Victoria's Work-From-Home Legislation

[00:24:46]

The Allan government is moving to enshrine the right to work from home in Victorian legislation.

Jack the Insider sees echoes of the dying days of the Cain-Kirner government — a paralysed administration unable to confront the CFMEU, reaching for popular populist measures to shift the narrative

Genuine doubt raised about whether the Victorian government has the constitutional authority to extend this beyond the state's own industrial relations jurisdiction

Ironic observation: the CFMEU may now be able to commit its alleged crimes from the comfort of home, enshrined in law by the very government it dominates

🏏 R.I.P. Dennis Cometti — A Legend of Australian Sporting Commentary

[00:27:41]

A sad farewell to one of Australia's greatest sports broadcasters, Dennis Cometti, who passed away aged 76 after an illness.

Remembered for his wit, calm authority, extraordinary phrasing ("centimetre perfect") and versatility across AFL, swimming, and Olympics

His long partnership with Bruce McAvaney celebrated — both were known for generously lifting their co-commentators rather than hogging the spotlight

Matthew Richardson recalled how Cometti and McAvaney would share stats and ideas with sideline reporters to make the whole program better — rare generosity in the industry

Bruce McAvaney described the loss of his "great mate" as losing "something truly precious"

Jack the Insider teases a future story about his own interview with Bruce McAvaney

🇮🇷 The Iran War — A Deep Dive

[00:30:51]

The episode's centrepiece: a thorough analysis of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran that rocked the world.

The Opening Strikes [00:30:51]

Strikes on Tehran targeted the Iranian leadership with remarkable precision; 49 killed including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his daughter, his grandson, and dozens of senior officials

The operation was months in the making — US assets were being repositioned in the Middle East from Christmas onwards

Diplomatic talks with Iran are assessed as having been a strategic cover for the military build-up

Who Was Khamenei? [00:32:37]

In power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution — 47 years of directing proxy terrorism via Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis

Jack the Insider recounts the chilling Mark Colvin story: journalists taken to a quarry outside Tehran in 1979 and shown a sea of bodies — the regime announcing who it was from day one

The International Law Question [00:58:37]

Assessed as genuinely unclear — international law is a patchwork of conflicting treaties with no real enforcement mechanism against superpowers

Germany's Chancellor Merz singled out for the most coherent response: a country that ignores international law and lies about funding terrorism cannot claim its protection

The UN condemned the US and Israel but said nothing about Iran killing 30,000 of its own people six weeks prior

Global Reactions [00:59:39]

Spain denied access to US bases; Trump retaliated by threatening to cut all trade between South America and the US

Portugal quickly offered support

France sending an aircraft carrier (one of only 12 "top-class" flat-tops in the world — 11 American, 1 French)

Australia: supportive, aligned with Canada, Germany, and France in what Hong Kong Jack calls "the sensible centre"

UK: Keir Starmer initially refused access to RAF bases and Chagos Islands, changed position only after Iran struck a British base in Cyprus; faced an internal cabinet revolt led by Ed Miliband

The Mossad Intelligence Operation [00:51:38]

Mossad hacked Tehran's traffic camera network and used algorithms to map the movements and behavioural patterns of all senior Iranian officials

Combined with deep long-term human intelligence — reportedly the head of Iran's unit charged with rooting out Mossad infiltration was himself a Mossad agent

Ariel Sharon reportedly tasked Mossad with making Iran its priority target 25 years ago

Iran's Military Capacity & the Missile Question [00:54:26]

Iran holds approximately 5,200 ballistic missiles capable of striking 600–1,000km range — plus extensive drone capacity (the Shahed-1, used by Russia in Ukraine)

Missiles fired as far as Cyprus, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Jordan in the initial chaotic response

Pakistan publicly reminded Iran of its security pact with Saudi Arabia (which includes a nuclear dimension)

Iran assessed as now diplomatically friendless — India also opposed

Oil: West Texas Intermediate sitting at USD 77.32 at time of recording; Straits of Hormuz insurance issues mean tankers may be forced around the Cape of Good Hope

The End Game [00:46:08]

Pete Hegseth: no "hollow democratisation" — objectives described as conservative

Assessed likely goal: degrade Iran's military capacity and defund its proxy network (Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis)

Regime change seen as desirable but practically very difficult — Revolutionary Guard and military figures are financially entrenched in the system

Demographics: Tehran's middle class largely despise the regime; rural Iran retains significant support for the clerics

Reza Pahlavi (the Shah's son, in exile in the US) continues to lobby for recognition, though his credentials beyond his family name are questioned

Iran under internet blackout for over a week — very little information getting out

🇨🇦 Canadian PM Mark Carney's State Visit

[00:15:23]

Mark Carney visited Australia fresh from a major diplomatic breakthrough in India — signing deals worth billions and repairing a relationship damaged by the Sikh separatist controversy under Trudeau.

Hong Kong Jack: Carney's speech was "heavily laden with management speak"

Both Australia and Canada noted for carefully managing their relationships with Trump's America — characterised in Australian political cartoons as competitive sycophancy

Canada is the US's largest oil supplier — giving it significant strategic importance as the Iran conflict strains global supply

🇺🇸 Clinton Depositions & the Epstein Files

[01:08:19]

Hillary and Bill Clinton both deposed before the House Oversight Committee's Epstein investigation.

Hillary described as giving as good as she got — "slapping around" committee members including Lauren Boebert

Boebert violated rules by photographing Clinton during the deposition and circulating it on social media

Bill Clinton, now in his mid-80s, was photographed reviewing Epstein documents with an expression compared to "being handed photos from your university days"

Pam Bondi called to give evidence before the committee

The drip-feed release of Epstein files assessed as likely to tantalise the public for years

🏏 Cricket: New Zealand Stun South Africa in T20 World Cup

[01:12:13]

New Zealand knocked South Africa out of the T20 World Cup semi-final in commanding fashion.

NZ won for the loss of just one wicket in the 12th over

Opening stand of 117 between Finn Allen (100 not out, 33 balls) and Tim Seifert (58)

South Africa dropped early catches (Markram and De Kock) before recovering in the field

Key wicket-takers: Rishi Ravindra 2/29 off 4, Lockie Ferguson 1/29 off 4, Matt Henry 2/34 off 4

South Africa reportedly unhappy about dew conditions favouring New Zealand

Preview: If England beat India, Jack the Insider tips New Zealand to win the final; if India make it, India are favoured

England's Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks both highlighted as players in strong form

🏈 AFL Season Preview — Round Zero

[01:17:46]

The AFL season kicks off tonight with Sydney Swans hosting Carlton — and there's a little needle given Charlie Curnow's move from Carlton to the Swans.

Tonight's game & key players:

Charlie Curnow (two-time Coleman Medallist) now wearing #35 for Sydney — seen as a great fit

Carlton: watch Jager Smith (ball-winning, skilled by foot); new recruits Highwood and Oli Florent (a running halfback who should improve Carlton's ball use into the forward 50)

Sydney are $1.30 favourites

Round Zero schedule:

Friday night: Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats (Gold Coast)

Saturday: GWS Giants vs Hawthorn; Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs

Sunday evening: St Kilda vs Collingwood (MCG)

2026 Eight predictions:

Likely improvers into the eight: Western Bulldogs, St Kilda (Wanganeen-Milera highlighted as a "gun"), Sydney, potentially Richmond

Shaky members of last year's eight: Collingwood, Adelaide, Hawthorn

West Coast and Richmond assessed as likely bottom-dwellers, though Richmond showing improvement

North Melbourne need a strong year to justify their high draft investment

New rules discussion:

Ruck rule: ruckmen must not cross the centre circle line or concede a free kick — both Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack predict the rule will be reinterpreted by around June; Brady Grundy already exploiting it

Last-touch out-of-bounds between the arcs now results in a free kick rather than a boundary throw-in — expected to create grey areas

Interchange: 23-man squads replacing the 22+1 concussion sub; reduced interchange rotations

🏉 PNG Enters the NRL

[01:26:59]

Discussion of Papua New Guinea's upcoming entry into the NRL competition, backed by AUD 600 million in federal government funding.

Seen as valuable "soft power" for Australia in the Pacific

Could help unify a fractured, tribal society around a shared sporting identity — PNG has a passionate rugby league culture

Colourful anecdote from the late Andrew Peacock involving Sean Dorney (the late ABC Pacific correspondent) — who, it turns out, was the halfback for the PNG national rugby league team and received a hero's welcome that Peacock initially assumed was for him

🏉 NRL Vegas Rounds 1 & 2

[01:16:40]

Brief discussion of the NRL's Vegas rounds — marred by Channel 9 only broadcasting one of the two games free-to-air, with the earlier game going unannounced, confusing viewers.

🏏 Alyssa Healy's Farewell ODI

[01:25:50]

A lovely send-off for Alyssa Healy in her final ODI for Australia — scoring a century in her last innings, with husband Mitchell Starc commentating in the box.

Starc visibly unimpressed when Healy came on to bowl, commenting dryly: "It's a bit harder than it looks, isn't it?"

Celebrated as one of the great Australian women's cricketers

🎙️ Closing — Kyle & Jackie O, and the Gold-Plated Oval Office

[01:29:53]

Jack the Insider wrote a light-hearted column for The Australian on the Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O split — a welcome moment of levity in a heavy news week

Hong Kong Jack: the Trump Oval Office, now festooned in gold, looks like "Liberace decorated it on a coke bender" — or like wandering into a London Indian restaurant. He's waiting for the first world leader to walk in and order the chicken tikka masala.

Thanks to listeners Greg and Ray for writing in. Drop the Two Jacks a line via their website or on X — tell them what you want to discuss, or give them a blast.

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

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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 & banter

Quick 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-dive

Discussion 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 failures

How 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 regime

Two 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 networks

Appalling 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 Sydney

Brief on organised‑crime turf disputes (the “Coconut Cartel” reference) and ongoing police investigations.

00:24:56 — Transport — Sydney–Newcastle high‑speed rail proposal

Federal 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 debate

Mike 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” debate

Strong 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 ruling

SCOTUS 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 concerns

Colorado 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 risks

Discussion 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 Moscow

Survey 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 developments

Notes 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 update

NRL 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‑outs

Closing 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.

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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.

[0:00:25] — The Two Jacks kick off Episode 145 with Chinese New Year greetings (Kung He Fat Choi!). Hong Kong Jack reports an unusually quiet Hong Kong, with locals escaping to Dubai, Singapore, and Japan to avoid pricey CNY celebrations closer to home.

[0:01:52] — New Liberal Leader: Angus Taylor defeats Susan Lee 34–17, with Jane Hume elected Deputy over Ted O'Brien (30–20). Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack assess whether Taylor can rebuild a shattered party.

[0:02:53] — Immigration policy leak: A policy blueprint, reportedly Susan Lee's, surfaced within a day of the spill. Taylor claimed he hadn't seen it. The Jacks debate how the Liberals should handle immigration without gifting One Nation more oxygen.

[0:05:59] — Strategy session: Jack the Insider argues Taylor should shut up, take two weeks of parliamentary recess to announce his shadow cabinet quietly, then re-emerge with policy — rather than chasing the media cycle daily.

[0:08:57] — The Goward–Menzies review of the Liberal Party's election drubbing: never publicly released, reportedly so legally combustible that lawyers have been called in. The Jacks agree burying internal reviews is standard practice — but ask whether rank-and-file members deserve some honest reckoning.

[0:11:00] — Malcolm Turnbull's "best-qualified idiot" quip about Taylor sparks a broader conversation about whether bitter ex-PMs (Turnbull, Abbott) do themselves or their parties any favours by lingering. The Jacks compare them unfavourably to Gillard, Howard, and Keating, who moved on successfully.

[0:15:24] — The AFR's damning investigation into the Victorian Government's infrastructure boom: drug deals, strippers, bribes, bikie gangs, ghost ships, and a 15–20% cost blowout to taxpayers. Mick Gatto's denial is, per Jack the Insider, "a pretty bad week" for the government.

[0:17:22] — Victorian polling (Demos): LNP 29%, Labor 23%, One Nation 21%, Greens 15%. The eye-opener: One Nation at 15% in inner Melbourne, prompting the memorable line "There are cookers everywhere, Jack."

[0:23:51] — The Jacks wrap Victoria: Premier Jacinda Allen is "limping to re-election in November" (28th). Hong Kong Jack suggests she book a Christmas holiday now. Sixteen years in government, a mountain of debt, and a corruption scandal — the cupboard, when opened, will be grim.

[0:25:16] — PM Albanese calls for NSW Police to explain footage of officers removing Muslim worshippers praying at a protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit. The Jacks note the footage, whatever the legal context around move-along orders, was always going to lead news services around the world — and it did.

[0:26:54] — Robert Duvall, dead at 95. The Jacks celebrate a career stretching from Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird (his film debut) through MASH, The Godfather (Parts I & II), Apocalypse Now ("I love the smell of napalm in the morning"), The Conversation, True Grit, and Tender Mercies. His decision to skip Godfather III over pay parity — Pacino was on five times his fee — is vindicated by the finished product.

[0:31:30] — Rev. Jesse Jackson, dead. A big, complicated public life: present at Martin Luther King's assassination, kingmaker in Clinton-era Democratic politics, gifted preacher and orator, and a man who had falling-outs with nearly everyone — including the Obamas — before his death.

[0:33:21] — Starmer abandons plans to cancel local government elections after pressure from Nigel Farage. The Jacks' verdict: the real reason was the government was set to be shellacked, and it no longer has the political capital to pull something so transparently sneaky.

[0:35:35] — Ambassador Peter Mandelson under active criminal investigation. Prince Andrew (referred to properly as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) under police investigation connected to the Epstein files — with allegations around misconduct in public office as trade envoy, financial impropriety, and personal conduct (including a Bangkok story that will make listeners raise an eyebrow). Hong Kong Jack's assessment: Andrew ends up in "an open prison on the Sandringham estate."

[0:39:20] — Kathy Ruemmler — former Obama White House Counsel, then Goldman Sachs General Counsel — referred to Epstein as "uncle" and had 10,000 documented interactions with him. The Jacks ask the obvious question: how do people with those credentials and that résumé simply choose not to Google a convicted sex offender?

[0:42:00] — Hong Kong Jack's theory on elite social dynamics: even already-famous people are fanboys. Illustrated with a wonderful yarn about Alan Border getting Mick Jagger and Keith Richards fan-girling over him backstage at the O2 — "they were as much fanboys about being there with Alan Border as I was being there with them."

[0:44:10] — Kevin Rudd's brush with an Epstein invitation while at a New York think tank: his office's cursory inquiry went no further, while Epstein name-dropped "the former President of Australia" on his guest list anyway.

[0:46:06] — Jack the Insider floats a theory: Epstein may have been a Russian FSB/KGB asset. Donald Tusk and others agree.

[0:46:48] — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz opens with an "uncomfortable truth": a deep rift between Europe and the US. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio responds with a speech framing the alliance around Western civilisation — and, astonishingly, receives a standing ovation from European foreign ministers. Hong Kong Jack: "I was astounded that all these European heavyweights were on their feet clapping like seals." The Jacks peg Rubio as the hot favourite for 2028, ahead of J.D. Vance.

[0:50:24] — Zelensky's sharp line on Putin at Munich: "His reference points aren't living advisors or the world as it is today, but dead emperors and faded maps. He consults Tsar Peter and Empress Catherine more than anyone who understands modern life."

[0:51:36] — The 2028 Democratic primary field was also in Munich: Newsom, AOC, Whitmer, Hillary Clinton (long shot, per Hong Kong Jack). AOC is seen as a strong VP candidate at minimum.

[0:52:39] — The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP — occrp.org) reveals Ukrainian military intelligence has dissected downed Iranian-made Shahed-2 drones used by Russia and found over 100 components from approximately 20 European firms — including microchips, receivers, transistors, diodes, antennas, and fuel pumps. The EU's own sanctions envoy acknowledges it's happening under their nose. Hong Kong Jack notes: "History is full of this." Trade routes through Hong Kong and Macau get a mention too.

[1:00:41] — Reza Pahlavi defends Iran–Israel ties and distinguishes the Iranian people from the Tehran regime. Reports (unverified but sourced from multiple outlets) suggest 70% of Iranians have left Islam and two-thirds of mosques have closed due to low attendance. The Jacks note: when the state becomes unpopular, the state religion follows.

[1:00:58] — A US aircraft carrier battle group is in the region. Iranian naval forces (described as "not quite McHale's Navy") are creating flashpoints. The Gulf states are quietly nervous about an Israeli/US strike — unsure of Iran's actual defensive capacity.

[1:01:51] — Cuba is in crisis: fuel shortages, universities and schools shut, public transport curtailed, the military as the country's biggest employer. Countries urging citizens to leave immediately include Costa Rica, the UK, Ireland, Australia (Smart Traveller: Reconsider Your Need to Travel, raised 12 February), and even Russia — which is operating evacuation flights for ~4,000 citizens. The Jacks ask: is the world ready for mass arrivals in Florida?

[1:05:51] — Is Harper Lee the greatest one-hit wonder of all time? Jack the Insider pushes back — she wrote Go Set a Watchman too. The social media list of nominees includes: J.D. Salinger (Catcher in the Rye), Mary Shelley (Frankenstein), Margaret Mitchell (Gone with the Wind), John Kennedy Toole (A Confederacy of Dunces), and — the crowd favourite — Francis Scott Key, who wrote the US National Anthem in 12 minutes. Jack the Insider recommends Philip Roth, Joseph Heller, and Grapes of Wrath for those wanting proper American literary deep cuts.

[1:10:49] — Australia are out in the group stage. Beaten by Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Jack the Insider's post-mortem: the best batsman in the Big Bash wasn't in the original squad, and when he was included, he wasn't played. Matt Renshaw was dropped for a player badly out of form. The "minnow" nations (Nepal in particular) have been playing T20 together constantly and are highly prepared. Scotland, by contrast, were only there because Bangladesh boycotted — and looked "like a slightly overweight, out-of-season club side."

[1:16:40] — The first AFL State of Origin game (Vic vs WA) at Optus Stadium, Perth, drew ~58,000. A high-quality contest, albeit light on defence. Jack the Insider nearly had a heart attack when Carlton defender Jacob Weitering went down — ultimately a fractured rib, no serious neck injury. Standouts per Hong Kong Jack: Daicos, Dangerfield, Kozzie Pickett, Luke Jackson (as a midfielder), and — the revelation — Barrass. Rory Lobb had a shocker. The Jacks question whether there's a workable place in the calendar for a multi-game series.

[1:21:08] — A Canadian curler was caught cheating (removing and replacing his finger on the stone mid-delivery) and directed colourful language at opponents. Twitter's curling expertise emerged within four hours, per Hong Kong Jack. Also: Norwegian cross-country skiing phenomenon Johannes Høsflot Klæbo — described as "Bradman-like" in his superiority — running uphill at six-minute-mile pace in snow, on skis.

[1:23:26] — LIV Golf works in Adelaide (crowds love it). Hong Kong Jack notes it's not working everywhere. Some players are reportedly handing back sign-on money to return to the PGA Tour, which the Jacks suggest is a notable disincentive to switch back when the sign-on was north of USD 10 million.

[1:25:02] — Arsenal lead Man City by five points (with a game in hand). Noel Gallagher, lifelong City fan, has tipped Arsenal to win the league — saying he doesn't see them slipping up, and that their bench depth is the key. At the other end: West Ham are third-bottom, in desperate relegation danger. This triggers a discussion of Boris Johnson's calamitous London Stadium deal, which already costs London ratepayers millions annually — and relegation would add another ~£10 million penalty to that tab.

[1:28:02] — Hong Kong Jack shares a Tina Brown Substack gem: Boris Johnson, returning from a lunch with Prince Andrew during his time as Lord Mayor, told staff: "I'd be the last person in the world to want to be a Republican — but f**k, if I've got to do a lunch with him again, I'm going to change my mind."

[1:29:29] — Listener Ray submitted eight questions/topics this week. The Jacks appreciate the enthusiasm, gently suggest he trim it to one or two. Some of Ray's material will be held over for Episode 146.

• Jack the Insider (Joel Hill)
• Hong Kong Jack

• OCCRP — Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project: occrp.org
• Tina Brown's Substack — The Epstein files piece (recommended read)
• Hong Kong Jack's Substack (contact/submissions)
• Jack the Insider on Twitter/X and Facebook

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.

[0:00:25]

Jack the Insider opens by noting this is Liberal Party spill number four since 2013 — one per parliamentary term. Recording on the eve of the 9am spill motion, the Jacks dig into the state of play with James Patterson's resignation from the front bench seen as a signal that Angus Taylor has the numbers. Hong Kong Jack raises the "glass cliff" observation from commentator Parnell McGuinness — that Taylor may have waited for Ley to absorb the ire before seizing the job back.

[0:02:44] — Tanya Plibersek's doorstop spray is quoted at length, listing Taylor's baggage: the Jam Land scandal, dodgy water buybacks, 22% hidden energy price increases, the Clover Moore documents, and his claim to have lived near Naomi Wolf.

[0:04:35] — The Jacks discuss whether Taylor will grow or shrink in the job, drawing comparisons to the unexpected rise of John Howard. The Liberal Party room numbers are crunched — just 28 members, including 10 LNP caucusing members.

[0:07:36] — Discussion of the One Nation threat, Newspoll figures, and the argument that the Nats are more vulnerable to One Nation than the Libs. A brief but enjoyable exchange on Murray Watt vs. Malcolm Roberts at Senate estimates.

[0:11:44]

Jack the Insider outlines a landmark High Court ruling finding the Catholic Church owed a non-delegable duty of care to a boy abused by Father Ron Pickin in 1969, aged 13, in the Newcastle-Maitland Diocese. The church had won in the NSW Supreme Court but that decision was overturned.

[0:12:47] — Hong Kong Jack reflects that the Church has been waging this legal battle for 30 years, hiding behind its labyrinthine structure to avoid liability — and that he always thought the courts would eventually "sheet the liability home."

[0:13:41] — Jack the Insider connects this to a previous High Court ruling and notes the clarity this decision now brings — not just for the Catholic Church but for all institutions with histories of child sexual abuse. The legal fraternity is expected to respond with a surge of litigation.

[0:16:29]

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (described correctly as a largely ceremonial head of state, akin to a Governor-General) arrives in Melbourne after two days in Sydney. His visit was formally requested by the Albanese government on behalf of the families of those killed in the Bondi attack.

[0:16:57] — Peter Cronau's criticism that Herzog "politicised" the visit is discussed. Jack the Insider reads Herzog's own words about wanting to explain Israel's perspective on Hamas and Iran.

[0:17:57] — Around 6,000 protesters assembled at Sydney Town Hall, led by the Palestinian Action Group. Police used major-event crowd management laws to block off large sections of the CBD, "kettling" protesters toward Central Station. Requests to march to the NSW Parliament and Hyde Park were denied.

[0:20:18] — The Jacks debate whether police went too hard, with Hong Kong Jack noting mixed footage — some showing aggravation from the crowd, some showing a heavy-handed response. Both agree it would have been deeply inappropriate for the mourning group of ~7,000 attending Herzog's ceremony to have been confronted by protesters.

[0:23:49] — A digression into the 2007 APEC security lockdown of the Sydney CBD — including the Chaser stunt and the lesser-known story of 12 missing rocket launchers from Holsworthy Army Base, one of which ended up in the hands of a South Western Sydney crime figure.

[0:26:23]

The NSW Government is exploring options after the federal government moved to offload prominent defence properties, including the Victoria Barracks on Oxford Street, Paddington. NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully flagged interest in residential development potential.

[0:27:41] — Hong Kong Jack recalls a lunch at the Officers' Mess — good food, excellent wine list, and a wonderful colonial-era building. Both agree it would be a shame to see it converted to apartment blocks. Cartoonist Warren Brown of the Daily Telegraph is noted as particularly distressed by the development.

[0:29:34]

Tony Mokbel has had his electronic monitoring bracelet removed after drug charges (allegedly occurring post-prison) were dropped. He's reportedly looking forward to international travel. The Jacks revisit the Lawyer X (Nicola Gobbo) scandal, calling it "a monumental cock-up" for Victoria Police — with at least two former Chief Commissioners potentially implicated — and question why no one has faced criminal accountability.

[0:33:04]

Starmer's appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK Ambassador to Washington is unravelling. MI5's pre-appointment security assessment apparently flagged concerns about Mandelson's Epstein connections — and at PMQs, Kemi Badenoch executed what Hong Kong Jack called "a masterclass": softening Starmer up with gentle questions before dropping the boom — "Did the security services mention the Epstein files, and what did they say?" Starmer confirmed they did.

[0:34:48] — Prospects for Starmer's survival are assessed. Potential successors — Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband, Wes Streeting — are judged to be worse options, which may be keeping Starmer in his job for now. Labor MPs were notably thinning out from the benches toward the end of PMQs.

[0:36:47] — The broader Epstein fallout: Sarah Ferguson (Fergie) reportedly dobbing her own daughter in over a "shagging weekend" with the then-convicted Epstein; a Starmer-appointed Lords communications adviser stripped of the whip for defending a man convicted of possessing child abuse images.

[0:41:00]

The Clintons push back on closed-door congressional testimony, with both Bill and Hillary Clinton demanding a public hearing. Jack the Insider notes there is no evidence Clinton had contact with Epstein after his 2008 conviction — a point he considers the critical ethical line.

[0:43:51] — Discussion of others in Epstein's orbit — Noam Chomsky, Woody Allen, Deepak Chopra — with Hong Kong Jack urging caution before assuming the worst of those who knew Epstein, while agreeing that continued association after his conviction is morally indefensible.

[0:45:34] — Six co-conspirators identified by the House Judiciary Committee from unredacted files, though the DOJ has declined to act further. Jack the Insider flags the US midterms as the likely next inflection point.

[0:51:15]

Jeff Bezos's Washington Post has made sweeping staff cuts, eliminating its sports desk entirely. Nate Silver is quoted calling the paper's influence "cratered" following its reversal on endorsing Kamala Harris in 2024. 14 of 19 climate reporters were laid off.

[0:53:12] — A broader discussion on whether newspaper endorsements matter at all — Hong Kong Jack and Jack the Insider agree they probably don't, noting neither can reliably recall who Australian mastheads have endorsed in decades.

[0:54:49]

A thumping win for Sanae Takaichi and the LDP in Japan — possibly a two-thirds supermajority, which would allow constitutional change and further militarisation. China is not pleased, given the deep historical context of Japanese Imperial aggression in mainland China (which, as Hong Kong Jack notes, began well before Pearl Harbour). The economic stimulus deployed before calling the snap election is credited as a key factor.

[0:59:10] — Thailand: PM Anutin Charnvirakul claims victory in the general election, with voters opting for stability over the opposition despite no great enthusiasm for the incumbents.

[1:02:16]

A remarkable South Africa v Afghanistan game ends in three super overs after a Roberto no-ball on the last delivery with Afghanistan nine wickets down. Afghanistan scored 17 in the first super over; South Africa matched it; a rain-affected five-ball third super over saw Afghanistan fall well short.

[1:04:42] — Australia open with a solid win over Ireland on a slow Sri Lankan surface. Steve Smith may be joining the squad due to an injury. Tim David returning from a hamstring complaint is flagged as a key weapon.

[1:05:51] — Nepal's near-miss against England is celebrated — Hong Kong Jack watched with Nepalese friends in Hong Kong, and was counting his wins against English friends until a brilliant final over from Sam Curran saved England. Stuart Law coaching Nepal is noted approvingly. England subsequently lost their second game.

[1:09:48]

AFL State of Origin on Saturday night at Optus Stadium is met with mild enthusiasm at best. The Jacks' primary concern: don't injure Jacob Weitering or Patrick Cripps. Historical context given on why AFL State of Origin never captured the public imagination the way NRL's did.

[1:11:30] — Rugby World Cup 2027 opens in Perth with the Wallabies vs. Hong Kong. Hong Kong Jack doubts Hong Kong fans will fly to Perth to watch their team lose, and notes flying to Europe from Hong Kong would likely be cheaper.

[1:12:38]

Jack the Insider admits the T20 World Cup is consuming all available screen time, but both Jacks agree Winter Olympics drone-follow downhill skiing is riveting television.

[1:13:06] — Hong Kong Jack closes with the week's big local news: the Hong Kong Government is set to allow dogs inside restaurants. Jack the Insider has approximately a million jokes but wisely opts to "shoulder arms."

[1:14:22]

The Jacks sign off, promising to return for Episode 145 with the results of the Liberal Party leadership vote — and a cheeky acknowledgment that it would be "hugely funny" if Taylor fell flat on the day.

• Jack the Insider (host, Joel Hill)
• Hong Kong Jack (co-host)
• Angus Taylor, Susan Ley, James Patterson, Tanya Plibersek, Malcolm Roberts, Murray Watt
• Isaac Herzog, Peter Cronau, Josh Lees
• Keir Starmer, Peter Mandelson, Kemi Badenoch, Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting
• Bill & Hillary Clinton, Jeffrey Epstein, Noam Chomsky
• Jeff Bezos, Nate Silver
• Sanae Takaichi, Anutin Charnvirakul
• Tony Mokbel
• Warren Brown
• Sam Curran, Stuart Law, Tim David

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! 

Recorded: 3 February 2026

Released: 8 February 2026

Jack the Insider (Joel Hill) and Hong Kong Jack tackle the RBA's surprise interest rate hike, the coalition's post-election implosion, and dive deep into the Epstein files fallout. From Gaza peace plans to Japanese economic roller coasters, plus Carlton's dodgy pre-season training—it's all here.

00:25 - Welcome & RBA Breaking News

The Reserve Bank hikes interest rates by 0.25 percentage points as predicted, with markets forecasting two more increases this year in response to 3.8% inflation.

01:29 - Interest Rates: The Blunt Instrument

Discussing government spending as the inflation driver and the uneven effects of rate hikes on mortgage holders versus savers.

03:35 - Trump vs The Fed

How the US Federal Reserve dropped rates under pressure from Trump despite similar inflation to Australia, and the risks of economic overheating.

05:22 - Blame the Barmy Army?

A tongue-in-cheek theory from KO: Did England's cricket supporters spending during the Ashes tour drive up inflation to 3.8%?

06:49 - Cocaine Economics

Australia's most expensive drugs in the world, Rugby World Cup memories, and why Western Australia pays double.

08:38 - Coalition Chaos: Nationals Hold On

David Littleproud's leadership survives as spill motion fails, but Andrew Hastie drops out of Liberal leadership race.

09:33 - The Oxford Connection

Angus Taylor, Tony Abbott, and Australia's history of Oxford-educated prime ministers—from Gorton to Turnbull.

10:09 - Angus Taylor's Shadow Treasurer Struggles

Troy Bramston's scathing assessment of Taylor's poor performance and lost economic credibility for the Coalition.

11:37 - Coalition Split Continues

Littleproud rejects reconciliation attempts while Sussan Ley remains Liberal leader, with potential "none-of-the-above" candidates waiting in the wings.

12:13 - Listener Ray on Electoral Math

The great compulsory preferential voting debate: why the Nationals win 15 seats on 3% of first preferences while Greens get one seat on 12%.

14:26 - Anthony Green's Patience

The legendary election analyst educates Twitter on how Labor would have won 85 seats under first-past-the-post voting.

15:26 - One Nation's Coalition Targets

Anthony Green's analysis reveals 20 Liberal and National seats at risk from One Nation, with only five Labor seats vulnerable.

17:27 - Could One Nation Replace the Nationals?

Exploring the possibility of a major conservative realignment, with potential Nationals MPs considering defection.

19:35 - What Do the Nationals Stand For?

From "agrarian socialists" to today's identity crisis—the party that used to represent farmers now struggles to define its purpose.

21:05 - Anti-Semitic Abuse at Sydney University

Former staff member Rose Nakard faces court on stalking and intimidation charges for allegedly calling Jewish students "fucking filthy Zionists" and "parasites."

24:45 - Community Response Over Legislation

Why community rejection of hate speech matters more than criminalising phrases like "globalise the intifada," and the problems with new laws affecting police discretion.

27:21 - $25 Billion Hospital and NDIS Deal

Albanese and state premiers sign massive health funding package while agreeing to limit NDIS growth to 6% or less.

28:21 - Autism and the NDIS Debate

Moving mild forms of autism out of NDIS into schools—sensible reform or cost-shifting? Only 23% of NDIS costs despite larger recipient numbers.

29:38 - The NDIS Needs a Medicare-Style Rethink

Comparing the transition from Medibank to Medicare: why the NDIS needs root-and-branch reform, not just tinkering.

31:03 - Chronic Illness Left Out

People with ME, CFS, MS, and fibromyalgia struggle to access NDIS support while other areas may be over-serviced.

33:26 - Spain's Migrant Amnesty

Spain grants legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants—stark contrast to anti-immigration sentiment across Europe.

35:48 - Epstein Files: 3 Million Pages

Two 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 Underpants

The 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 Parties

The inexplicable nature of intellectuals dining with Epstein, and Brett Ratner's creepy Epstein photos despite #MeToo allegations.

42:33 - Clintons Agree to Testify

Bill Clinton offers four-hour congressional interview, Hillary to make sworn statement about Epstein connections.

43:28 - Andrew and Mandelson Under Pressure

Prince 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 Photos

Why 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 Club

Explaining 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 Stans

The "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 Gaza

More 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 Amnesty

Southern 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 Passes

After 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 List

Household 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 Hour

Mark Carney's priority to reduce energy costs in Canada, currently lower than the US at 12.5 cents.

57:50 - European GDP: Tepid Growth

Germany, 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 Trap

With 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 Talk

Germany 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 Moment

PM 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 Die

British 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 Rhetoric

Marine 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 Low

Only 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 Movie

Brett 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 Numbers

Women'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 Action

Pakistani 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 Disaster

Dropped 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 Meme

Bloke throws chair at bouncers, accidentally knocks out his mate instead. Victorian government announces "toughest chair laws in Australia." Stand up, Victoria.