The Conditional Release Program

Episode 205 - Epstein Fury ft Hillary + Pizza - GC Trump Tower - Woke AI - BABET!

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!!!

The Two Jacks - Episode 146 - One Nation’s Surge, NDIS Reform & the Politics of Fea

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

SAMPLE - Black Label 38 - Thiel's Hallow App - Tariffs - Epstein - SovCit

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

The Two Jacks - Episode 145 - The Liberal Makeover, Epstein's Elite Friends & Cuba on the Brink

THERE IS A FEEDBACK FROM HKJ'S HEADPHONES TO HIS MIC - THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED - I HAVE BEEN TOLD HKJ HAS BEEN YELLED AT APPROPRIATELY. AI slop from our mate Claude Sonnet 4.6 - who is a good slopmaker and a blessed robot.Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack are back for Episode 145, kicking off with Chinese New Year greetings before diving headlong into the Liberal Party's new leadership under Angus Taylor, Victoria's CFMEU corruption saga, and the ever-deepening Epstein files rabbit hole. They roam through the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky's sharp Putin put-down, Cuba's unravelling regime, and the Iran situation — then lighten the mood with one-hit wonders in literature, the T20 World Cup disaster, AFL State of Origin, Winter Olympics, and the Premier League title race. Buckle up.SHOW NOTES WITH TIMESTAMPS🎉 Introduction & Chinese New Year[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.🏛️ Australian Federal Politics — Angus Taylor & the Liberal Party[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.🏗️ Victorian State Politics — CFMEU Corruption & the Big Build[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.🕌 NSW — Muslim Worshippers Dragged from Sydney Protest[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.🎬 Obituaries — Robert Duvall & Rev. Jesse Jackson[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.🇬🇧 UK — Sir Keir Starmer's Bad Week[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."🕵️ The Epstein Files[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.🌍 Munich Security Conference[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.⚙️ Russian Drones — European Components Scandal[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.🇮🇷 Iran — Islam's Collapse & US Military Posturing[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.🇨🇺 Cuba — On the Brink[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?📚 One-Hit Wonders in Literature[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.🏏 Sport — T20 World Cup[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."🏈 AFL — State of Origin[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.🥌 Winter Olympics — Curling Scandal & Klæbo[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.⛳ LIV Golf — Adelaide[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.⚽ Premier League[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.🎤 Closing — Boris Johnson on Prince Andrew & Listener Mail[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.HOSTSJack the Insider (Joel Hill)Hong Kong JackLINKS & REFERENCES MENTIONEDOCCRP — Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project: occrp.orgTina Brown's Substack — The Epstein files piece (recommended read)Hong Kong Jack's Substack (contact/submissions)Jack the Insider on Twitter/X and Facebook

The Two Jacks - Episode 144 - Angus, Epstein and the Ashes of the Washington Post

Shownotes are AI slop as usual. It's a week late cause nobody bothered to tell me it was recorded. Apologies for lack of freshness. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack are back for Episode 144, recorded on 12 February. It's Liberal Party leadership spill eve and the boys break down whether Angus Taylor has the numbers to end Susan Ley's tenure — and what sort of baggage he'll carry into the job. From there: a landmark High Court ruling on the Catholic Church's duty of care for survivors of clergy abuse; the protests surrounding Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia; the widening Epstein-Mandelson catastrophe engulfing Keir Starmer; the slow collapse of the Washington Post; Japan's election result and its implications for China; and a packed sports segment covering the T20 World Cup, AFL State of Origin, the Rugby World Cup opener, and the Winter Olympics.Show Notes & Timestamps🏛️ Liberal Party Leadership Spill[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.💬 "It looks to me like in the modern Liberal Party, an incompetent bloke beats a woman any day of the week." — Tanya Plibersek (quoted by Jack the Insider)⚖️ High Court Rules on Catholic Church Duty of Care[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.💬 "The courts have historically not been very keen on letting people go uncompensated because the defendants had a complicated structure." — Hong Kong Jack🇮🇱 Isaac Herzog Visit & Sydney Protests[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.🏚️ Victoria Barracks & Defence Property Sales[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.🔓 Tony Mokbel Released[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.💬 "Sometimes you get to a point where this is a complete mess. What's the best thing we can do now?" — Hong Kong Jack🇬🇧 Keir Starmer, Mandelson & the Epstein Files (UK)[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.💬 "At that moment I thought — you are toast, son." — Hong Kong Jack, on Starmer confirming the MI5 briefing🇺🇸 The Epstein Files & the Clintons (US)[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.📰 Washington Post Cuts & Newspaper Endorsements[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.💬 "If you're going to run a national newspaper, you've got to stand for something and stick to it." — Hong Kong Jack🗳️ Japan Election & Thailand Election[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.🏏 T20 World Cup[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.🏈 AFL State of Origin & Rugby World Cup 2027[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.⛷️ Winter Olympics & Hong Kong Dogs[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."👋 Wrap-Up[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.Key Guests / People MentionedJack the Insider (host, Joel Hill)Hong Kong Jack (co-host)Angus Taylor, Susan Ley, James Patterson, Tanya Plibersek, Malcolm Roberts, Murray WattIsaac Herzog, Peter Cronau, Josh LeesKeir Starmer, Peter Mandelson, Kemi Badenoch, Angela Rayner, Wes StreetingBill & Hillary Clinton, Jeffrey Epstein, Noam ChomskyJeff Bezos, Nate SilverSanae Takaichi, Anutin CharnvirakulTony MokbelWarren BrownSam Curran, Stuart Law, Tim David