Hudson Conway EGM 1999
November 28, 2008
This article titled 'Williams forgives jeffing business' by Rod Myer and Russell Skelton was published in The Age on Dec 18, 1999.
Mr Stephen Mayne, journalist and critic of the former Premier, Mr Jeff Kennett, has been approached by one of Mr Kennett's close friends, Mr Lloyd Williams, to set up a joint business venture.
Mr Mayne, a shareholder activist, hopes to launch an independent online magazine in January.
He said that Mr Williams, the former Crown casino boss, had approached him last week to talk about a new media venture.
``It was all very vague, only one phone call," Mr Mayne said. ``But I said I'd meet him."
Such an alliance seems at odds with Mr Mayne's campaigns against Mr Kennett and the business identities - including Mr Williams - who supported his Liberal Government.
Yesterday Mr Mayne praised Mr Williams for his vision and entrepreneurial skills at the helm of Hudson Conway, during what is likely to be the company's last shareholder meeting.
Speaking as a shareholder, Mr Mayne praised Hudson Conway's management under Mr Williams and another Kennett friend, Mr Ron Walker: ``It has been a heck of a ride, thanks for the memories and good luck in the future. It is a remarkable day today ... we are saying goodbye to one of the last of the true entrepreneurial companies, one of the true risk-taking companies."
Mr Mayne was a media adviser to the former Victorian Treasurer, Mr Alan Stockdale, for 18 months from late 1992. However, in the run-up to the September state election he announced his intention to stand as an independent in Mr Kennett's seat of Burwood.
He was ruled ineligible, as he was at the time living in New South Wales. Nevertheless, he campaigned against the Liberals on his website Jeffed.com. (Mr Kennett had a site called Jeff.com).
Mr Mayne stood again in last week's Burwood byelection, winning 6.9 per cent of the vote.
The website consisted of a 13,000-word attack on Mr Kennett's alleged dictatorial style and attempts to muzzle dissent. It has since expanded to become an irreverent mouthpiece reporting on business, politics and the media.
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