LOCAL MP Tony Piccolo says he has “no regrets” running for the seat of Schubert despite unforeseen boundary changes keeping his heartland, Gawler, in the seat of Light.

Mr Piccolo announced his candidacy for Schubert in August after an Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission (EDBC) draft report proposed to split the region in two, moving more than 12,500 Light constituents into Schubert.

However, in its final report released last Wednesday, the EDBC had removed the Gawler localities from the final Schubert boundaries – with the Liberal-held seat to now encompass most of the Barossa Valley wine region.

The reversal ended a battle between Mr Piccolo and former transport minister Stephan Knoll before it could begin, as the seat’s margin of just 5.4 per cent would have offered an interesting playing field.

Instead, Mr Knoll’s safe seat has become even safer, on 14.7 per cent.

Mr Piccolo had previously cited a dedication to Gawler and its people as the reasoning behind contesting the Schubert seat.

“The final EDBC report doesn’t change that sentiment at all, it just means I will seek to contest Light at the next election, because that is where the people of Gawler will be,” he said.

“I was motivated to run for Schubert in the interest of my local community and to help Labor win the next election.

“On a positive note the new boundaries return Gawler and Ward Belts and Gawler River back to Light, but does omit parts of Munno Para West.

“Schubert with a Liberal margin of six per cent was going to be hard seat to win, and it would have been easier to run for the new Light electorate.

“It was always going to be a risk announcing my candidature before the boundaries were finalised, but I believed I owed it to the people in Gawler and the Light electorate generally, and my party once the draft boundaries were announced.”

Mr Knoll welcomed the finalised boundary changes and expressed his commitment to the region.

“Unlike Labor’s fleeting interest, the Liberal Party have always and will always remain committed to the Barossa,” he said.

“That commitment extends to the broader regions – regardless of politics – and is demonstrated by our delivery of key projects in the Gawler region, most notably the Gawler Rail Electrification Project, which Labor and Tony Piccolo tried and failed to deliver for years.

“It has taken a Liberal Government to make this major project happen, just as it has taken a Liberal Government to upgrade the Gawler East Link Road project to ensure future connections are possible, and bolster the Main North and Tulloch Road intersection upgrade to ensure this job was done properly the first time, and not just a Band-Aid fix.”

Nevertheless, Mr Piccolo vowed to uphold commitments made to Barossa residents during his short-lived Schubert run.

“While the final boundaries enable me to refocus on Light, I intend to continue working on projects I have started in the Barossa and all commitments I have made, will be honoured,” he said.

“What I have learnt from my campaign to date, is that many in the Barossa welcomed an alternative voice and different approach to local representation.

“As the Labor duty member for Schubert, I will continue to provide an alternative voice and engage with local businesses, community organisations and people, to ensure their aspirations are heard and needs considered.”

Over the coming weeks, Mr Piccolo will formally ask the SA Labor Party to release him from the candidacy for Schubert and seek endorsement for Light.

SA Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas told The Bunyip the party would now find a new candidate for Schubert.

“South Australian Labor remains committed to delivering for the people of the Barossa. I am passionate about the Barossa and our entire Shadow Cabinet will continue to focus on this important region of South Australia,” he said.

“It is unfortunate that Gawler was taken out of Schubert which Tony has represented for over 30 years. While he may not be the candidate for Schubert at the next election, Tony will be the Labor duty member for Schubert and will continue to represent the region on behalf of the Labor Party.

“Labor will now start the process of finding a new candidate for the seat of Schubert that will give the Barossa the strong and committed representation they deserve.”

Schubert now safer seat

THE consideration of several submissions has seen the Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission (EDBC) reverse its decision to cut up the Light electorate and move Gawler into the seat of Schubert.

According the EDBC’s final report the commission received 66 submissions, flagging numerous issues with the draft proposal.

Critically, the Liberal Party’s submission was that all of Gawler should be kept in Light and that Schubert should comprise the bulk of the Barossa Valley wine region.

A number of written submissions also addressed the Barossa region and a desire to retain it within the electorate of Schubert.

Member for Schubert Stephan Knoll applauded the finalised boundaries.

“I accept the outcome of the Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission report and the new boundaries,” he said.

“It’s very positive that the EDBC listened to the people of the Barossa and the many submissions they put forward.

“I am thrilled that, for the first time in recent memory, the entire Barossa GI will be represented by the one MP; that means I can continue to be an unashamed advocate for the Barossa!

“I’m also excited that Schubert is picking up Truro, St Kitts and the northern Adelaide Hills.

“I remain proud to serve what is undoubtedly the best electorate in South Australia, and look forward to being able to get on with the job and continuing to deliver for the people of Schubert.”

Overall the changes to the draft redraw favour the Liberal Party, which would now likely win an election 24 seats to 23 if both parties garnered 50 per cent of the two-party vote.

Subject to any appeal to the Supreme Court of South Australia, the new boundaries will take effect at the next State election, on March 19, 2022.