Harvey Norman chairman Gerry Harvey has lashed out at critics as "totally frigging mad" and says he might buy back stock or even privatise the $3.5 billion company if its shares continue to languish at four-year lows.

Harvey Norman's annual meeting is typically a stormy affair but it was even more fiery on Tuesday as Mr Harvey attacked so-called "agitators" who had questioned the company over the lack of board diversity, the independence of directors, failed investments in non-core businesses and loans to franchisees.