Former Nine Network owner Alan Bond dies aged 77

One of the most colourful and controversial characters in Australian business Alan Bond has died aged 77.

Among Bond’s more notable business deals was his $1bn purchase of the Nine Network from Kerry Packer in 1987. However Packer took back control of the network  in 1992 when Bond was declared bankrupt. 

In a 2003 interview with Andrew Denton on Enough Rope Bond described the negotiations with Packer: “We arranged to meet in the Wentworth Hotel in the suite that I was over here staying in. And, er, when we first sat down, we said, “We’re either going to sell our stations to you for $400 million, or you’re going to sell your stations to us.” And he said, “Well, I don’t really want to sell my stations.” And I said, “Oh, is that right?” So, anyway, after much discussion, Kerry thumped the table and said, “Listen, if you can pay me $1 billion, I’ll sell them to you, otherwise bugger off.” And in those sort of tones, that was Kerry.”

Andrew Denton: “We’ve all had that conversation with Kerry, yes.”