The company's major shareholder, Seven Network, called for a meeting seeking to overthrow West Australian Newspapers' four non-executive directors, due to poor performance, The Australian reported.

“We have to inform shareholders on what we believe the issues are. We'd be derelict in our duty if we didn't,” said Mansell, according to The Australian.

“There have been suggestions the (West Australian Newspapers) board is using the proposition of a 'takeover by stealth' by Seven to justify using company funds as a defence manoeuvre, when the directors are effectively defending their own positions,” The Australian article stated.