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The Conditional Release Program

The Conditional Release Program

Written by: Jack the Insider and Joel Hill
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Welcome to The Conditional Release Program, a podcast that delves into the netherworld of cults, crims and con artists.

Who would have thought a spicy chest cough would turn everyone so completely mad?

Our weekly show covers the conspiracy theorists that created a 'shadow pandemic' of political idiocy and violent ideation within the fringe of politics.

From time to time we get our hands even dirtier with true crime deep dives. Jack is a seasoned expert in the true crime genre, having written and spoken extensively about Roger Rogerson, Stan 'the man' Smith and, of course, the Fine Cotton Fiasco. In various episodes he guides us through the dark underbelly of Australian crime in his trademark storytelling style.

The world is getting weird and we are getting weird with it. Let's watch as democracy crumbles into a smouldering heap - and take note of the kids carrying the matches and the metho.

Hosted by Jack the Insider and Joel Hill with an occasional rotation of guests that generally share our distaste toward the lunatic fringe.

All rights reserved. Political Science Politics & Government Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Two Jacks - Episode 164 - Housing, Hormuz and the PM’s Podcast Problem

    The Two Jacks - Episode 164 - Housing, Hormuz and the PM’s Podcast Problem
    Jul 14 2026
    This weeks shownotes are brought to you by Microsoft CoPilot - and I think that's funny. Why? Because nobody really uses this outside of work. But here I am - using it. But I can all hear you say - "but Joel, producing the Two Jacks is essentially work" and I would agree. But let's not get carried away on such things. But I do get to compare and contrast AI models. And I do like the podcast (when the audio isn't fucked) so I guess I'm breaking even. Right?Highlights: copilot refuses to acknowledge my prompt that clearly states Jack is not me (he's just using the login) and also the FUCKING NERVE at the end to say it's produced by Two Jacks. Copilot suuuuucks.------------------------------------------------------------------------Jack the Insider (Joel Hill) and Hong Kong Jack cover the week’s biggest stories: a downgraded Australian growth forecast, renewed Middle East tensions and oil-price risk, the cost of housing regulation, a controversial podcast appearance by the Prime Minister, new Pacific security ties, UK political drama, and a full sports roundup. The conversation mixes policy analysis, local anecdotes and sharp takes on political judgement.From the transcript: “The firm expects headline, inflation to remain elevated above 4% and unemployment to peak at 5%.”Shownotes with timestamps(All timestamps advanced by 25 seconds to allow for theme music)00:00:25 — Welcome and housekeeping Hosts: Jack the Insider (speaking as Joel Hill) and Hong Kong Jack open the show and trade personal updates (dental woes, home repairs).00:02:12 — Australian economy update Topic: Deloitte downgrades growth to 1.3% this financial year; inflation and unemployment outlook; RBA commentary on Commonwealth spending. Key takeaway: growth is slowing and inflation remains a problem.“Australia’s growth outlook has deteriorated over the past six months. The economy is still expanding, but growth has slowed and the outlook has become more fragile.”00:06:05 — Middle East and oil risk Topic: Iran, Strait of Hormuz disruptions, US options and the long-term economic impact of sustained higher oil prices. Discussion of the limits of military options and the political timing pressures in the US.00:11:36 — Housing, regulation and planning delays Topic: RBA 2018 study on Sydney housing regulation costs; local DA delays, heritage listings and the cost of permits. Practical points on streamlining approvals and supply-side fixes.00:20:54 — Political gaffe: Prime Minister on a podcast Topic: Reaction to the PM’s Nova-style podcast appearance and awkward answers; media-advice failures; debate over whether senior politicians should accept small‑reach podcast interviews.00:31:40 — Pacific security and Fiji treaty Topic: New treaty with Fiji makes it Australia’s fourth alliance partner; strategic context and China’s regional activity; soft-power vs bidding-war approaches.00:35:40 — UK politics and Nigel Farage Topic: Farage resigns his seat and triggers a by-election amid funding questions; Andy Burnham’s expected rise to Prime Minister and the legitimacy challenge for leaders chosen without a general election.00:46:58 — Europe and Germany’s budget push Topic: Germany pushes back on EU spending plans and flags competitiveness concerns; energy and industrial cost pressures.00:55:50 — Russia, Ukraine and military developments Topic: Ukrainian strikes, Crimea pressure, and the risks of escalation; discussion of cruise-missile production and defensive needs.01:12:30 — Sport roundup Topics covered: Women’s cricket dominance; World Cup highlights (Argentina, Norway, Mbappé); State of Origin; AFL/NRL broadcast deals and coaching moves; track standout Cameron Myers.Key quotes from the episodeOn the economy: “Inflation has re-accelerated, interest rates have moved higher and the oil price shock triggered by conflict in the Middle East is not yet fully resolved.”On housing regulation: Hong Kong Jack: “If you could have that $380,000 that it was seven years ago that comes onto the cost of building a house in Sydney, just think how much better off people in Sydney would be.”What we liked and what to watchWorth following: developments in the Strait of Hormuz and any new RBA/Treasury commentary on growth and inflation.Local watch: NSW planning reforms and ICAC inquiries into property development.Politics: the fallout from the PM’s podcast appearance and the UK by-election dynamics around Nigel Farage.How to listen and get involvedSubscribe on your favourite podcast app.Send us feedback or story tips — Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack read listener mail each week.Share this episode if you found the housing or geopolitics segments useful.Produced by Two Jacks — Episode 164. Thanks for listening; we’ll be back next week.
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    1 hr and 37 mins
  • Episode 213 - NEWS - PHON AI Slop - AntiVax Infanticide - Clacton Bin Sea

    Episode 213 - NEWS - PHON AI Slop - AntiVax Infanticide - Clacton Bin Sea
    Jul 13 2026

    Listeners! Thanks for your patience! I've been sick and Jack's been distracted but you can't keep a good bitch down and we are back with a news ep to keep you going.

    Up first we look at the AI slop that is coming from Indonesia and elsewhere and ask - are they actually being paid by dark money or just making money from clicks?

    In Idaho a woman is charged with the murder of her two children after they died in her care and she did a classic antivax PR tour faciliated by RFK Jr.'s former organisation Children's Health Defence. It's gross.

    And of course we have to laugh at Nigel who though he was so clever to call a byelection to make a big song and dance about how victimised he is for being held to account for taking a shitload of money for dubious reasons. Now that idiot has to argue with a bin. But - a lot of other egomaniacs are getting involved and may just ruin the funniest thing ever.

    In SovCits there is a revelation on Rod but a classic case of pointless stupidity in a courtroom where something as simple as probate turned into a witchhunt. A literal witchhunt.

    Babet is an idiot but in one post, I can't entirely disagree. But I also don't disagree because, as usual, he can't just be normal.

    Enjoy!

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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • The Two Jacks - Episode 163 - Housing Jitters, One Nation’s Surge and Victoria’s Political Reckoning

    The Two Jacks - Episode 163 - Housing Jitters, One Nation’s Surge and Victoria’s Political Reckoning
    Jul 6 2026
    Oh my god don't get RSV it's so shit. We will be back with TCRP soon. My brain has been goats cheese. It's been a hell of a fortnight but there's a lot going on and it must be laughed at. In the meantime, here is a plethora of Jacks to satiate your auspol cravings. This week the shownotes are slopped to you by GPT 5.5 - which seems to have done an okay job and also sounds a lot less 'chatGPT' which is nice. The titles are way less shit than usual. Maybe that sociopathic compulsive liar Sam Altman is onto something. Nah. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------In episode 163 of The Two Jacks, recorded on 2 July 2026, Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack take a wide-ranging look at the political, economic and sporting stories shaping Australia and the world.The episode opens with Australia’s housing market, including recent house price falls, the risks facing first home buyers using the 5 per cent deposit scheme, and the dangers of negative equity. The Jacks then turn to the striking rise of One Nation, debating whether the surge is a genuine long-term disruption in Australian politics or partly a mirage fuelled by social media, disinformation and dissatisfaction with the major parties.Victorian politics comes under close scrutiny, with discussion of Moira Deeming, the Matthew Guy allegation, Jess Wilson’s leadership, and Jacinta Allan’s handling of the Big Build controversies. Internationally, the episode covers Andy Burnham’s likely move into Downing Street, Keir Starmer’s defence spending announcement, Trump-era decision-making as explored in Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman’s book, congressional stock trading in the United States, and the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war.The show wraps with sport, including Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket, England’s reckless loss to New Zealand, the future of Bazball, World Cup football, State of Origin, AFL fixturing and Australia’s women’s cricket team reaching another World Cup final.00:00:25 — Welcome to Episode 163Jack the Insider opens the show and marks the start of the new financial year in Australia. Hong Kong Jack joins from Hong Kong, where the previous day marked Reunification Day, the anniversary of the handover to the People’s Republic of China.00:01:10 — Housing Prices, First Home Buyers and Negative EquityThe Jacks begin with Australia’s housing market and recent reports of price declines in suburbs with strong uptake of the 5 per cent deposit scheme. They unpack the risk of highly leveraged first home buyers falling into negative equity, where the debt on a property exceeds its current market value.Hong Kong Jack recalls the early 1990s Melbourne housing market, when banks were reluctant to sell distressed inner-suburban properties because doing so would have further damaged the market. The discussion compares that period with the global financial crisis in the United States and Ireland, where property crashes led to widespread foreclosures.00:04:00 — Can Australian House Prices Keep Rising?The conversation turns to whether Australian housing can continue producing the large capital gains many homeowners have come to expect. Jack the Insider argues that prices in Sydney and Melbourne cannot keep rising at the same pace without locking younger buyers out of the market.Hong Kong Jack makes the broader point that Australia’s tax and investment settings have made owner-occupied housing unusually attractive compared with other investments, contributing to long-term affordability problems.00:06:36 — Could Money Shift from Housing to the ASX?Jack the Insider speculates that if housing becomes less reliable as an investment vehicle, more money may flow into equities and the Australian share market. The discussion also touches on the weak outlook for CBD commercial property, with work-from-home trends continuing to affect demand.00:07:25 — The 5 Per Cent Deposit SchemeThe Jacks assess the Albanese government’s 5 per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers. Hong Kong Jack says it may provide some help for young people trying to enter the market, but it is not a magic solution to housing affordability.They discuss the practical challenge of borrowing large sums with very little equity, especially if prices flatten or fall. The risk for banks and borrowers is that buyers may end up with little or no equity for some time.00:10:41 — The One Nation SurgeThe episode moves to One Nation’s rise in the polls. Jack the Insider notes that One Nation polled around 6.5 per cent nationally at the previous federal election but is now polling far higher, with some figures placing the party in the 20s.The Jacks discuss possible reasons for the surge, including public dissatisfaction with the major parties, the political aftermath of the Bondi terror attack, and the way right-wing voters are shifting away from the Coalition.00:11:48 — Social Media, Bots and ...
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    1 hr and 38 mins
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