Millionaire businessman Dick Smith says he has some miserable, tightwad millionaire mates who'd be a lot happier if they gave some of their hoard to charity.
Launching the 2015 Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal before a high-powered crowd including NSW Premier Mike Baird in Sydney, Mr Smith took aim at the large number of rich Australians who did not share their wealth with those in need.
"I have two of my relatively close friends who are extremely wealthy - probably worth over $100m each, and I don't think they give any money at all," Mr Smith told the lunch at the five-star Westin Hotel.
"If they do, they do it extremely secretively.
"Both of them are not that happy. They seem to have sort of a chip on their shoulder, always complaining and whingeing."
The adventurer and campaigner for Australian-made goods cited Australian Tax Office figures that show Australia's wealthy people give less than two per cent of their income to philanthropic causes, while in the United States the figure is nearly double that.
Salvation Army Commissioner James Condon said Mr Smith has given $7 million to the charity since he started the Dick Smith electronics business - long since sold - in 1968.
Mr Smith, who committed $100,000 to the Red Shield Appeal on Wednesday, said he felt an obligation "to put something back into Australia".
He said most of his friends are "incredibly generous" but questioned why some wealthy people should give money anonymously when people who instead donated their time did not have the option.
"Why should people who have money have that advantage? Now in many cases I think they actually don't give," he said.
Mr Smith also flagged a move into politics, announcing he had registered the name The Dick Smith Party because of his frustration with "crippling" bureaucracy in the light aviation industry - an area in which he has long campaigned for reform.
The Salvation Army hopes to raise $15.26 million in Sydney and $74 million nationally from its 2015 Red Shield Appeal.
In 2014 the charity helped more than 11,000 homeless people and provided 50,000 meals and 5500 food parcels to the hungry and needy every week.
The Salvos also provide domestic violence support, disaster relief and drug, alcohol and gambling addiction counselling and support.
Mr Baird took time out from his election campaign to launch the appeal.
"Imagine NSW without the Salvos - imagine what it would look like. Who would do the work of the Salvos and where would this state be?" he said.
The Red Shield Appeal Doorknock will take place on the weekend of May 30 and 31.
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