Categories
Australia

Prime Minister to investigate claims of Scott Morrison’s secret ministry grab during COVID-19

Prime Minister to investigate claims of Scott Morrison's secret ministry grab during COVID-19

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government will investigate claims former prime minister Scott Morrison swore himself in as joint health, finance and resources minister during the height of the pandemic.

Mr Albanese says the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet is seeking legal advice from the solicitor-general.

The ABC understands then-health minister Greg Hunt agreed to Mr Morrison’s joint position as a safeguard to incapacitation from COVID-19, but that Matthias Cormann was not told that Mr Morrison had appointed himself as joint finance minister.

Former resources minister Keith Pitt has told the ABC Mr Morrison also used his self appointment to Mr Pitt’s portfolio to block a controversial petroleum exploration licence.

Prime Minister Albanese said the revelations were “extraordinary”.

“The people of Australia were kept in the dark as to what the ministerial arrangements were, it’s completely unacceptable,” Mr Albanese said.

This is very contrary to our Westminster system. It was cynical and it was just weird that this has occurred.”

Mr Albanese said it was a serious allegation, but also “just weird”.

“Perhaps this explains why we didn’t order enough vaccines. I mean, the Minister for Health might have thought the Prime Minister was ordering them because he was also the Minister for Health, and he thought the Minister for Health was ordering them,” Mr Albanese joked.

Former Morrison minister slams secret appointments

Nationals leader David Littleproud, who served as agriculture minister under Mr Morrison, told ABC Radio this morning he did not know the former prime minister had sworn himself into several roles.

“That’s pretty ordinary, as far as I’m concerned,” Mr Littleproud said.

“If you have a government cabinet, you trust your cabinet.”

Mr Littleproud said to his knowledge, the then-Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce was also not made aware of Mr Morrison’s self-appointments.

“These are decisions of Scott Morrison. I don’t agree with them, and I’m prepared to say that openly and honestly,” Mr Littleproud said.

Little proud looks off camera, bordered by two silhouetted figures.
David Littleproud says the former prime minister was wrong to secretly swear himself into several roles.(ABC News: Matt Roberts)

Mr Morrison also used his self-appointment to the resources portfolio to overrule the then-minister to block a petroleum exploration license off the NSW Central Coast.

National MP Keith Pitt told the ABC he “certainly made inquiries” when Mr Morrison told him about the joint-appointment, but ultimately accepted the move.

“I certainly found it unusual, but as I said I worked very closely with Scott through a very difficult period through COVID,” Mr Pitt said.

“I’m just not going to throw him under a bus, I just won’t.

“It was clearly something I was concerned about, as you would expect.”

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten, who lost the 2019 election to Mr Morrison, said it was a bizarre decision by the former prime minister.

“To find out he was ghosting his own cabinet ministers, goodness me, he was off on a trip,” Mr Shorten said.

“Honestly I’ve never heard of this, in World War II I’m not aware John Curtin swore himself in as Defense Minister … I don’t know what was going through [Mr Morrison’s] head.

“If he felt the need to do it, why not tell people? Why be secretive?”

Mr Albanese said he would not pre-empt the findings of the solicitor-general as to whether the former prime minister broke the law.

But he noted it was possible there were other secret appointments made by Mr Morrison.

Constitutional expert says self-appointments were inexplicable

Professor Anne Twomey, an expert in constitutional law, said it was “confusing” how Mr Morrison may have taken joint control of several portfolios.

Professor Twomey said only the Governor-General can swear in a minister, but noted reports that Mr Morrison may have found an administrative workaround.

She said there were already provisions for other ministers to take over portfolios if a minister is incapacitated, and it seemed unnecessary.

“What on Earth was going on, I don’t know, but the secrecy involved in this is just bizarre,” Professor Twomey said.

“You just wonder what’s wrong with these people that they have to do everything in secret.”

live updates

By Shiloh Payne

That’s all for the press conference

To recap, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he will be seeking legal advice from his department after revelations Scott Morrison appointed himself to multiple portfolios.

Here’s what we know:

  • Mr Morrison granted himself powers of Health, Finance and Resources Minister at various points when he was Prime Minister.
  • Some Ministers knew at the time, but others didn’t.
  • Mr Albanese has described the former prime minister’s actions as contemplated for the democratic process.
  • Mr Albanese will be briefed on the claims later this afternoon.

The solicitor-general will also be providing advice.

By Shiloh Payne

PM describes Morrison’s actions as ‘contempt for democratic process’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Scott Morrison’s appointments as different ministers could have caused confusion in the government.

“Perhaps this explains why we didn’t order enough vaccines,” he says.

“The Minister for Health might have thought the Prime Minister was ordering them because he was also the Minister for Health and he thought the Minister for Health was ordering them.”

“What we know is that this is a shambles and it needs clearing up and the Australian people deserve better than this contempt for democratic processes and for our Westminster system of government, which is what we have seen trashed by the Morrison Government.”

By Shiloh Payne

Key Event

Will the solicitor-general look into this?

The Prime Minister is taking questions.

He was asked if the solicitor-general will look into these claims regarding Scott Morrison, here’s what he says:

“I have asked the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet,” he says.

“We will be seeking advice from appropriate people including the Solicitor-General about all of these issues.

I’ll be getting a full briefing this afternoon. This is dripping out like a tap that needs a washer fixed and what we need is actually to get the full flow of all the information out there and then we’ll make a decision about a way forward here.

“But these circumstances should never have arisen.”

By Shiloh Payne

‘Nothing about the last government was real, PM says

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there is an ‘absolute need’ for clear transparency.

“This isn’t some local footy club,” Mr Albanese says.

“This is a government of Australia where the people of Australia were kept in the dark as to what the ministerial arrangements were.”

“It’s completely unacceptable.”

By Shiloh Payne

PM: ‘Whole lot of questions arise’ from Morrison portfolio claims

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says claims that Scott Morrison took on additional portfolios as “extraordinary and unprecedented”.

He says he will have briefings on the situation when he returns to Canberra this afternoon.

“A whole lot of questions arise from this,” he says.

“What did Peter Dutton and other continuing members of the now shadow ministry know about these circumstances?

“How is it that the Australian people can be misled whereby we know now that Scott Morrison was not only being Prime Minister, but was Minister for Health, was Minister for Industry and Science at the same time as resources, was the Minister for Finance, and we had the extraordinary revelation that Mathias Cormann, apparently, wasn’t aware that Scott Morrison was the Minister for Finance as well as himself.”

By Shiloh Payne

Key Event

You can watch the press conference here

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is speaking in Melbourne.

You can watch it here:

loading

By Shiloh Payne

Anthony Albanese is speaking in Melbourne

Close up of Anthony Albanese. He wears glasses with a black frame and a suit with a yellow tie.
(Supplied: James Alcock)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is speaking to the media in Melbourne.

He is expected to discuss the government’s plans to investigate claims that former prime minister Scott Morrison had secretly sworn himself into three ministerial positions at the height of the pandemic.

There are claims Mr Morrison swore himself in as joint health, finance and resources minister.

Good morning, I’m Shiloh Payne and I’ll be taking you through the latest updates.

posted , updated

.

Categories
Technology

Decades Of Horror Humble Bundle Offers Resident Evil 0-7 For Just $30

Decades Of Horror Humble Bundle Offers Resident Evil 0-7 For Just $30

The Resident Evil “Decades of Horror” Humble Bundle offers nearly the entire game franchise for an insane price. Here’s how to get it!

Decades Of Horror Humble Bundle Offers Resident Evil 0-7 For Just $30

Published on August 13th, 2022

New or older fan-favorite games often retail for as much as $30 on mainstream stores like Steam. For example, many Resident Evil games sell for $20 and $30 each, while newer ones like Resident Evil Village can cost as much as $60 brand-new.

Thankfully, there are ways to get games like Resident Evil games for cheaper. Humble Bundle’s new “Decades of Horror” features nearly the entire Resident Evil game series (ie, eleven games!) for as little as $30. Here’s how to get the Decades of Horror Humble Bundle and all the games included in the offer.

How to get Resident Evil Decades Of Horror Humble Bundle

Resident evil humble bundle decades of horror
The Resident Evil Humble Bundle includes 11 games for $30 at the top tier. (Picture: Capcom)

As mentioned, the Resident Evil Decades of Horror Humble Bundle includes 11 Resident Evil games and a 50% coupon for Resident Evil Village, all for just $30. To claim this offer, all you have to do is navigate to the offer page on the Humble Bundle website.

If $30 is still a bit too steep for you, don’t worry. There are also options to get just three of the Resident Evil games for $1; otherwise, you can get 6 Resident Evil games for $10.

All games in Resident Evil Decades Of Horror Humble Bundle

resident evil decades of horror humble bundle
A coupon for Resident Evil Village is included in the top tier of the Humble Bundle. (Picture: Capcom)

Here are all of the games included in the Decades of Horror Humble Bundles:

$1 Resident Evil Humble Bundle:

  • resident Evil
  • Resident Evil Revelations
  • Resident Evil Revelations 2 Episode 1

$10 Resident Evil Humble Bundle:

  • Resident Evil Revelations
  • Resident Evil 0
  • resident Evil
  • Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition
  • resident Evil 6
  • Resident Evil Revelations 2 Episode 1
  • Resident Evil: Revelations 2 Deluxe Edition

$30Resident Evil Humble Bundle

  • Resident Evil 0
  • resident Evil
  • Resident Evil 2
  • Resident Evil 3
  • Resident Evil 4
  • Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition
  • resident Evil 6
  • Resident Evil 7 Biohazard
  • Resident Evil Revelations
  • Resident Evil Revelations 2: Deluxe Edition
  • Resident Evil Village 50% Off Coupon

Remember that every purchase is technically a donation; Humble Bundle is primarily a charity-backed initiative. Humble Bundle sells bundles of games below store price and donates a portion of the proceeds to charity.

The Resident Evil Decades of Horror Humble Bundle supports Direct Relief, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides medical relief to those who need it. It’s also an incredible deal at $30 for 11 Resident Evil games, which typically cost as much as $30 each!

All of the games together are valued at $275, according to the Humble Bundle. The Humble Bundle will be available until 24th August, so be sure to buy it while you still can!

And that’s all. For more interesting content, check out our dedicated section for the latest horror game news, updates, guides, tips and tricks, and more.

Featured image courtesy of Capcom.

Categories
Entertainment

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith seen together for the first time since Oscars slap

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith seen together for the first time since Oscars slap

Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith have been spotted out and about together for the first time since Will slapped Chris Rock over a joke at Jada’s expense during the 2022 Oscars back in March.

The pair, who appeared to be in good spirits, was snapped by photographers on Saturday in Malibu near celebrity hot spot Nobu, walking hand-in-hand as Will waved to onlookers, reports the new york post.

The Oscar winner wore a black hat, navy polo shirt and matching pants for the outing, completing the look with a fresh pair of white Air Force Ones. Jada also rocked sneakers with her de ella all black ensemble, tying a flannel shirt around her waist and finishing off her look de ella with delicate jewelery and a pair of shades.

The sighting comes weeks after Will released his latest apology for slapping Rock during the ceremony due to a G.I. Jane joke the comic told in reference to Jada, who suffers from hair loss condition alopecia.

“I reached out to Chris, and the message that came back is he’s not ready to talk, but when he is, he will reach out,” Smith said in the video posted to YouTube.

“I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”

Jada addressed the moment during a June episode of her Facebook Watch series Red Table Talksaying she would like, “these two intelligent, capable men to have an opportunity to heal, talk this out and reconcile.

“The state of the world today, we need them both,” she continued. “And we all actually need one another more than ever. Until then, Will and I are continuing to do what we have done for the last 28 years, and that’s keep figuring out this thing called life together. Thank you for listening.”

As for Rock, the stand-up has only spoken of the matter on-stage during recent gigs, including comparing Smith to former Death Row Records exec and noted hothead Suge Knight.

“Everybody is trying to be af**ing victim,” Rock, 57, said during a gig at Atlanta’s Fox Theater.

“If everybody claims to be a victim, then nobody will hear the real victims. Even me getting smacked by Suge Smith… I went to work the next day, I got kids.”

He added: “Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face.”

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.

.

Categories
Sports

Bulldogs “set to pounce” on Adelaide small forward

Bulldogs “set to pounce” on Adelaide small forward

Adelaide’s James Rowe is again on the radar of the Western Bulldogs.

That is according to SEN SA’s Andrew Hayes who believes the Bulldogs are “set to pounce” on the small forward.

The Dogs were interested in Rowe prior to the 2020 National Draft but essentially could not select the Woodville-West Torrens premiership player after the Crows made a bid on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan at pick 1.

That left Luke Beveridge’s club without the points required to take Rowe in the second round when the Crows snapped him up at pick 38.

However, the Dogs are again keen on the 22-year-old who is out of contract this year and yet to re-sign with the Crows.

“James Rowe is probably not going to get a contract at the Crows, that’s the word,” Hayes said on SEN SA Breakfast.

“The word right now is he’s probably not going to get renewed. This is a bloke who has played 16 games this year and averaging 13 disposals which is marked as above average for a small forward.

“I kicked two goals on the weekend (against North Melbourne) and it was a late addition for Wayne Milera.

“The Bulldogs are red hot into him. They were into him a couple of years ago, they were going to draft him, hence why the Crows had to nominate Jamarra Ugle-Hagan to get rid of a lot of their (the Bulldogs’) points.

“They couldn’t accumulate enough points from draft picks to get to James Rowe so he could be on their list.

“Now it looks like the Bulldogs are set to pounce on James Rowe.”

Kane Cornes is confident Rowe will again be on an AFL list in 2023, but expects to see him in Crows colors despite the Dogs’ reported interest.

However, he wouldn’t be overly surprised if Rowe ended up elsewhere.

“He might get a better offer to go,” he said.

“I still think the Crows will offer him a contract, but whether it will be a bargain basement type setup or whether another club sees a different and a larger role for him to play.

“He might have a decision to make. It might be good for him to go to another club.

“He’ll be playing AFL football next year, I think it will still be at Adelaide but I wouldn’t be surprised if another club makes him feel a bit more loved than Adelaide has made him feel.”

Rowe has played 35 games for Adelaide over the last two seasons and has returned 27 goals, including 12 in 16 outings in 2022.





.

Categories
Australia

Glider pilots travel to WA’s south chasing waves in the skies above the Stirling Range

Glider pilots travel to WA's south chasing waves in the skies above the Stirling Range

Every year, glider pilots make their way to the Great Southern region of WA in search of particular air conditions, called a wave.

These waves are strongest in the winter.

While they usually don’t mean much to a pilot, surrounded by mountains and hills, gliders can use these waves to reach the same height as commercial flights from Perth to Sydney — almost 30,000 feet.

A glider, often referred to as a sailplane, is an aircraft designed to fly without an engine.

A small plane is visible in a blue sky with wispy white clouds.
The glider, or sailplane, relies only on air currents to stay up and soar.( ABC Great Southern: Olivia Di Iorio)

Syd Dewey has been a glider for 30 years and described the phenomenon using a rock analogy.

“If you’ve ever seen a rock in water, and the water flows over it, it drops right down behind the rock,” he said.

“But then a wave comes up behind it that’s higher than the rock. So we try and find that primary wave just behind the rock, and we ride the very front of that.”

This season, gliders from the Gliding Club of Western Australia and the Beverley Soaring Society traveled to the Stirling Range, east of Albany, to take to the skies.

The club members consist of hobbyists, commercial pilots, and air force cadets.

They apply for special permission to reach commercial heights.

Flying alongside the birds

A man with a shaved head and a dark green coat stands in front of a small white plane.
Matt Gibson says flying in a glider is incredibly peaceful.(ABC Great Southern: Olivia Di Iorio)

This season was Matt Gibson’s first time visiting the Stirling Range to fly, despite gliding for more than 15 years.

He was introduced to the sport when the Air Force cadets offered scholarships for gliding.

“I’ve always loved flying, I’ve always been amazed at how something that’s made of metal or wood or something so heavy, can hold itself up in the air like a bird can,” he said.

With no engine, the glider, or sailplane, gets towed up into the sky by a plane.

A rope connects the tail of the plane to the nose of the sailplane.

“Then it’s up to us to learn the air currents, the thermals, and the weather, and use that to our advantage to climb up,” Mr Gibson said.

Once the sailplane has caught the air currents it unleashes from the plane so it can fly alone.

Two small planes fly off a runway connected by a rope.
The glider has no engine and is towed by another plane to reach the skies.(ABC Great Southern: Olivia Di Iorio)

“In a glider, it’s so peaceful,” he said.

“In a normal plane, it can be quite loud, and you can feel the vibrations and they tend to fly a bit faster than we do here.

“But gliding you just hear the soft rush of the air going past the canopy and you can see birds, sometimes eagles, come and fly next to you.”

This year the gliders haven’t had much luck with riding waves, with the cloudy skies proving too dangerous.

Mr Gibson was planning to fly over the famous Bluff Knoll, but instead flew its length all the way down to Ellen’s Peak.

Always on the lookout

There are lots of calculations and observations, which gliders need to follow.

“We’re constantly scanning and looking into the sky, because we have a pattern that we fly when we’re taking off and landing,” Mr Gibson said.

A small white plane sits on grass.
Gliders take off from a grass lot behind the Stirling Range Retreat.(ABC Great Southern: Olivia Di Iorio)

“You learn how to listen to what the glider is telling you in terms of the air around the glider, looking at the weather, making sure you don’t get into bad situations.”

Syd Dewey is part of the Beverley Soaring Society, the biggest gliding club in Western Australia.

A man in a white cap and blue checked shirt adjusts a plane wing.
Syd Dewey has been flying for more than 30 years.(ABC Great Southern: Olivia Di Iorio)

“We flew about a quarter of a million kilometers last year,” Mr Dewey said.

“So since November we’ve done 247,000, which is more than any other club in Australia.”

During the pandemic their membership increased significantly.

“We’ve had about a 50 per cent increase to our membership. It’s something to do with COVID, maybe having nowhere to go,” Mr Dewey said.

“People can learn to fly quite easily — some people have gone alone almost in two weekends.”

.

Categories
Technology

Land Rover Is Releasing Limited Edition V8 Classic Defenders

Land Rover Is Releasing Limited Edition V8 Classic Defenders

As much as the world genuinely embraced the new Land Rover (L663) when it was released back in 2020, there was always going to be a contingent of stubborn loyalists who would rather die than give up their riveted rovers. But rather than ignore the purists, Land Rover Classic has acknowledged this passion and agreed to release 25 very unique versions of the original Land Rover.

The car will be officially known as the “Land Rover Defender Works V8 Trophy II,” and will feature a semi-camouflage exterior that includes 23 locations which have “played a part in Land Rover’s illustrious off-roading and exploration adventures over more than 70 years.”

RELATED: A Hulking Eight-Seat Land Rover Defender 130 Has Debuted

Land Rover Is Releasing Limited Edition V8 Classic Defenders

Each Trophy II features a 5.0-liter V8 engine paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, with some upgraded stoppers and chassis tweaks. Other than the obvious badging and decals, the exterior gets some more utility through:

  • A front A-frame with an integrated winch
  • Powerful full-width LED light bar
  • rock sliders
  • Expedition exterior roll cage and rear recovery point
Land Rover Is Releasing Limited Edition V8 Classic Defenders
Land Rover Is Releasing Limited Edition V8 Classic Defenders

Inside the cabin, the Defender has two-tone Recaro Windsor leather sports seats, dashboard trim, a bespoke Land Rover Classic infotainment system, and an Elliot Brown clock face that mimics that pseudo-camouflage on the exterior.

The 25 lucky customers who purchase the Classic Defender will also be invited to an exclusive three-day Trophy competition where they’ll receive a few stories to start what will probably be a life-long adventure obsession.

How good.

Land Rover Is Releasing Limited Edition V8 Classic Defenders

Categories
Sports

Graeme Souness man’s game, sexist comments, Karen Carney reaction, Chelsea vs Tottenham, video

Graeme Souness man's game, sexist comments, Karen Carney reaction, Chelsea vs Tottenham, video

Graeme Souness has come under fire after claiming football is “a man’s game all of a sudden now” after a fiery derby played out between Chelsea and Tottenham.

speaking in the Sky Sports studio alongside ex-Lionesses star Karen Carney, Souness was reflecting on the intense draw, which ended with Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte being sent off.

Watch the world’s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Tuchel & Conte see red in feisty derby | 00:42

“Referees are letting a lot more go and it makes for a better watch,” Souness said.

“We’ve all played the game, with simulation and people throwing themselves into the ground. I haven’t seen that in the two games today. It’s a man’s game all of a sudden now.”

When asked about the managers’ fiery encounter, Souness said “boys will be boys”.

That comment along with his earlier reference to football as a “man’s game” saw Souness come under immediate scrutiny from Carney’s former England team-mate Eniola Aluko.

“Awkward turtles, Graeme Souness talking about ‘it’s a man’s game again’ sat next to an England centurion Karen Carney, two weeks after the Lionesses end a 56 year wait and win European Championships,” she tweeted. “Come on. It’s not okay.”

Meanwhile, women’s football player Bethany England was also incensed by the comments.

“It’s a man’s game. Men at it. Get in the (bin emoji) what a disgraceful thing to say after the summer this country has just been seen.”

Not everyone was outraged by Souness’ comments, with Piers Morgan taking to Twitter to defend him, sarcastically writing: “I’m outraged & disgusted that Graeme Souness used the words ‘man’s game’ when talking specifically about an incident in a man’s game played by two teams of men. Especially when we’ve all spent the past few weeks talking about the ‘women’s game.”

.

Categories
Australia

Declining rate of volunteering heralds ‘collapse in community life’: minister

Declining rate of volunteering heralds 'collapse in community life': minister

Community and charity groups are dealing with plummeting rates of volunteering, and Charities Minister Andrew Leigh is on a mission not only to stem the drop-off but halt the crisis in community participation.

Reports compiled by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) show the number of volunteers has been steadily falling each year. It estimated there were 3.3 million volunteers in 2020, and the census found just over 2.9 million people had done voluntary work in 2021, or about 14 per cent of those who answered.

Charities Minister Andrew Leigh wants to tackle what he sees as a collapse in community life.

Charities Minister Andrew Leigh wants to tackle what he sees as a collapse in community life.Credit:Rhett Wyman

At crisis helpline Lifeline, the search for volunteers is a constant and has been exacerbated by the pandemic.

“Our phones are ringing. 24/7, obviously, and tech service now is 24/7 – and [we have] around 3000 phone calls a day. So we always need more volunteers at Lifeline, that’s for sure,” acting chief executive Robert Sams said.

Lifeline had experienced a small peak of people looking to help out in the early days of the pandemic when they suddenly weren’t working or going out, but that had dropped away again.

“We hear across the sector, and definitely here at Lifeline, that, for one, their availability, volunteers are affected [by illness] like all of us, and two, I think people are genuinely tired and fatigued. There’s been a lot in the last two years to cope with,” Sams said.

Lifeline experienced a small peak of people looking to help out in the early days of the pandemic but that has dropped away again.

Lifeline experienced a small peak of people looking to help out in the early days of the pandemic but that has dropped away again.Credit:Kate Geraghty

As well, volunteering tended to be a discretionary thing for people and thus was one of the things they dropped as they looked for more space in their life.

But Leigh says the problem is broader than volunteerism. Australians are now less likely to be a member of a community organisation, go to religious services, be a union member, play a team sport, give blood, and don’t have as many friends or know as many neighbors as they used to.

Categories
Technology

From small town beginnings to global Hi-Fi success

perreaux

Words by Andy Lloyd-Russell

Who doesn’t love a classic underdog story, an unexpected rising of a star

If there was ever such a story to be told from within the upper echelons of the professional Hi-Fi and pro audio industries, it would have to be the story of Perreaux.

For those unfamiliar, Perreaux is one of the world’s leading handcrafted preamplifier, power amplifier, and loudspeaker manufacturers, but unlike the majority of other world class manufacturers who typically operate and build their products in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, Perreaux are owned and operated in a rather more remote corner of the globe.

Read all the latest features, columns and more here.

Humble beginnings

Founded by Peter Perreaux in the town of Napier, New Zealand in 1974, Perreaux has always prided itself on producing the most meticulously designed and manufactured audio equipment. Starting with the now legendary GS 2002 integrated Class A transistor Hi-Fi amplifier, Perreaux’s no compromise approach speaks directly to the company’s success and longevity.

The magical combination of hand-built quality, carefully selected parts, rigorous testing, and a healthy dose of kiwi ingenuity captured the attention of big wigs in both the audiophile and pro audio communities, with this little known audio company from down under quickly setting the standard for power, performance, and personality.

To set the scene, 1970s New Zealand was rather quiet, remote and, well, pretty darn quiet. With virtually all manufacturing of goods done domestically, for the domestic market, New Zealand had very little importing of goods. The chances of securing exporting deals at the time were challenging to say the least, so those starting a business on home soil were confronted with the stark reality of manufacturing in a small country in a remote corner of the globe.

But for Peter Perreaux, it seemed only a $1,000 investment was all he needed to get started.

export success

After introducing several successful products in the mid 1970s such as the aforementioned GS 2002 integrated preamplifier, the 4004A – a dual output mono/stereo switchable 40W integrated amplifier, and the 2100 EXR / 2200 EXR / SP 100 – separate power amps and control consoles, Perreaux managed to secure grants to develop exporting to Australia and the Americas.

What became abundantly clear about Perreaux early on was the fastidious design and quality of their products. Through the 1980s, Perreaux was considered the only pro audio manufacturer to not only handpick components (such as their transistors) but to also mill, bevel, and etch all their own metal work. This gave them a distinct and authentically “hand crafted” edge over their numerous competitors.

Perreaux’s unparalleled high quality components selection from their handpicked transistors through to their high conductivity 24 karat circuit boards, it was evident that Peter Pereraux was never going to settle for designing and building anything less than a platinum product, in the truest sense of the word. And it is with this in mind that Perreaux products earned its comparisons to well-known German automobiles – sleek, and meticulously constructed and engineered.

Decades of world-renowned reputation

Having started from an impressive yet humble 22W per channel Hi-Fi amplifier, for decades after Perreaux has designed and hand-built countless other world-renowned audio products. Throughout the later half of the ’70s Perreaux introduced their first horn-loaded sound reinforcement systems and the impressive SA80B power amplifier, released in 1979.

Perreaux never being one to shy away from new technology, the SA80B was an early Perreaux product to incorporate MOSFET technology, which they had imported from Japan. This allowed their designs to benefit by combining the sound quality of valve/tube based designs with the efficiency and compactness of solid state transistor designs. The SA80B became a main export product for the company.

Into the 1980s, products such as Model II preamplifier were introduced, as well as the immensely powerful 8000B two-channel power amplifier which was introduced in 1982 – often found powering monitor speakers in recording studios, providing a monolithic 500W per side.

Other iconic products included the PMF2150B power amplifier, the cherished SM2 Class-A preamplifier, as well as the sleek Silhouette SX1 Hi-Fi amplifier (1985). Lastly, the SM3 preamplifier, TU3 tuner, and PMF 3150 power amplifier were a dominant trifecta in the mid to late ’80s.

While the designs and aesthetics of Perreaux were quintessentially classic for the ’70s and ’80s, they made bold strides into the 1990s with the iconic SM6 “Dog bone” preamplifier. Very much the Rolls Royce of the Hi-Fi world, the SM6 was equally visually striking as it was musical sounding, with matching 200, 350, and 6150 “Dog bone” power amplifiers, it was a series that held its own throughout the decade and into the 2000s. The SM6P “winged” design with matching 250p and 350p power amplifiers provided a more modest aesthetic to the range, while being immensely popular too.

the modern era

The Perreaux of today indeed stays true to its rich and renowned history and reputation of being one of the most scrupulous audio designers and manufacturers. Its diverse yet concentrated range of current products includes six preamplifier/power amplifiers, with the SM6 MKII preamplifier being at the forefront of the catalogue, but also includes a mammoth 750W mono block power amplifier, with customizable colors being the name of the game.

The three integrated amplifiers range from 80W through to a whopping 300W and the two floor standing speakers (being 2-way and 3-way models) offer pristine sound reproduction as well as a wildly customizable color palette.

With such a rich history and a story that went against all the odds, this now prestigious audio company from Napier, New Zealand has well and truly earned their spot among some of the biggest names in the business.

Having risen to successfully exporting to overseas markets in an otherwise domestically dominated manufacturing environment in the 1970s, is a testament to the quality of Perreaux’s products, as well as a profound understanding of the fiercely competitive markets in which they have very much established themselves apart. of.

It would seem that hand-crafted in New Zealand really does hold its own.

Head to Perreaux for more information. For local inquiries on Perreaux products, reach out to Sound and Music.

Categories
Sports

Lowndes hoping to give Supercars fans rare insight in Sandown cameo

Lowndes hoping to give Supercars fans rare insight in Sandown cameo

Craig Lowndes. Picture: Dirk Klynsmith

Craig Lowndes says his Sandown Supercars cameo this weekend will be a great opportunity to provide the TV audience with some rare insight into the sport.

Lowndes will step into the #4 ZB Commodore, usually driven by Jack Smith, for the dedicated co-driver practice session on Friday at the Penrite Oil Sandown SuperSprint.

Brad Jones Racing’s final enduro combination is yet to be confirmed, though the team stated it has good options on the radar and is not in a rush.

Lowndes has already been confirmed as part of the Supercheap Auto wildcard program alongside Declan Fraser for this year’s Great Race, however, wildcard entries are not permitted to run in the Sandown session.

Given Smith’s car would otherwise have sat out the Additional Drivers Practice session, the team decided to offer Lowndes the opportunity to jump behind the wheel.

The seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner, who is part of the Fox Sports broadcast, says it’s a chance to bring the TV audience behind the scenes.

“I think that’s one of the things that I enjoy doing is relating what’s going on inside the car [to people watching on TV],” Lowndes told Speedcafe.com.

“So people at home, the fans, and viewers can really get a sense of what drivers go through.

“As I said, I enjoy that. [The Sandown cameo] gives me an opportunity to be able to do that.

“Whether that’s something post-session or during the session, we’re still working that out.

“For me, it gives a bit of a difference between team-to-team; I’ve been a Triple Eight person since 2005.

“To be able to relate philosophies of different teams [to the TV audience]how they approach, how they operate, the car feels.

“Although I won’t be driving a Triple Eight car over the course of the weekend, but I know from history what the cars are like.

“If the BJR car is better in areas or worse in areas…I can hopefully provide [insight to the audience].”

Andrew Jones was the brainchild of the idea, and after the relevant approvals were received last week, the plans were put in motion.

Jones explained the team has not set a to-do list for the session in what will be the first time since 2004 that Lowndes has driven a non-Triple Eight Supercar event.

“I don’t think there’s anything particular that we’re looking for out of it,” Jones told Speedcafe.com.

“If I look over the other side of the BJR garage, there are four high caliber drivers already within that programme.

“SW [it’s] just an opportunity to do something a little bit different, and have [Lowndes] eat and drive it.

“No doubt he’ll have some thoughts on the car that we’ve got for that weekend, and it’d be crazy of us to not listen to them and see what his thoughts are.

“But more than anything, he loves turning the steering wheel and pushing the pedals and I hate seeing a car sit in the garage during those sessions.

“So the simple fact, it’s better to have it out on track and better to have him in the seat really.”

The 30-minute co-driver practice session is scheduled to take place on Friday at 15:20 local time/AEST.