Bill Gates arrived in Australia over the weekend and yesterday addressed the press, customers, and the public in a series of events that began at 10am, and carried on well into the afternoon. In the course of his program, Gates revealed the extent of his and Australia’s richest man Kerry Packer’s investment in Australian online services joint venture Ninemsn. Gates told a press conference that Microsoft and Packer’s Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd had put up $25m each. The venture is not expected to turn a profit for at least two years. Tonight, Gates jets to Melbourne where he will meet with Prime Minister John Howard at the Millennium Dinner of the World Executive Forum. Gates and Howard are both guest speakers at the event.
