The founder of Harvey Norman has launched a scathing attack on Amazon as the US retail powerhouse prepares to setup in Australia.

Gerry Harvey told Neil Mitchell the company was a ‘corporate citizen Australia didn’t need.’

‘Listen, Amazon is worth $500 billion and been going for 23 years (but) have virtually made no money in that time, they’ve virtually paid no tax in that time,’ he said on 3AW Mornings.

‘They’ve sent retailers and family businesses across America broke all over the place – businesses that pay tax and employ people.

‘Amazon are a curse. They’re plunderers.’

Mr Harvey said customers would get a better deal in the short term, but it would ultimately result in pain.

‘They’re going to cost a lot of people their livelihood,’ he said.

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview