Supersalesman

Sue Neales, Mercury
TIMBER company Gunns has thanked State Treasurer Michael Aird for agreeing to lobby its prospective pulp mill partner.

Gunns spokesman Matt Horan said last night while the Tasmanian Government had always been clear about its backing for the giant pulp mill, “every little bit” of open support helps.

Mr Aird left yesterday for a week-long, $50,000 trip to Europe, during which he will meet the unnamed companies Gunns hopes can be convinced to invest in its controversial pulp mill.

“We are very pleased the Tasmanian Government is reiterating its support in this way,” Mr Horan said.

“The Government has always made its support clear in the past but a personal visit from the Treasurer is certainly not going to harm our cause.”

Mr Aird conceded on Tuesday he had phoned Gunns management once he knew he was travelling to Europe, to offer to meet any companies it thought might be useful.

It is widely believed Swedish paper and pulp company Sodra may become a joint-venture partner with Gunns in building and operating the pulp mill north of Launceston

Mercury: Gunns thanks Aird for mill help
Dave Groves