According to The Sydney Morning Herald, ASIC filings reveal that Ian Norman, the long-time but silent partner of Gerry Harvey, who is also the second largest shareholder in the mass retailer, paid himself the $15 million despite last year being a tough year for retailers.

Mr Norman, who remains a non-executive director of Harvey Norman and its second largest shareholder with a stake worth some $630 million, received a $17.9 million dividend the previous year.

Dimbulu's accounts also reveal that John Slack-Smith and David Ackery have two unsecured loans which are listed as ''non-current receivables'', worth $5.3 million; this is up from $5 million in borrowings for the previous year.

Ackery has a $1.5 million loan, which is down from the previous year. The interest terms on the loan are not disclosed.

Last year Ackery sold 350,000 shares in Harvey Norman for a gain of $1.5 million. Chief operating officer John Slack-Smith sold 1.4 million of his 1.66 million shares for $6 million.

Dimbulu, which operates as Mr Norman's family private investment company, reported a net profit of $20.9 million in 2009, down from $23 million in 2008.