In last week’s edition of the Herald, the member for Light Mr Tony Piccolo said in his Lights On newsletter that the Liberals could axe the Gawler bus service.

Mr Piccolo had said two press releases from Gawler-based MLC Dawkins suggested the Liberals were planning to axe the bus services, but the Liberals have hit back and said they want to improve buses.

Shadow Transport minister Vickie Chapman and Gawler-based MLC John Dawkins have labelled the claims as “bizarre”.

“The Liberal Party totally supports Gawler having a bus service – in fact we want a service which is better than the one Mr Piccolo is defending,” said Ms Chapman.

“Empty buses demonstrate the service is not running as it should and we need to look at how we can change that.

“That is why we are calling on Mr Piccolo to listen to people using the service, speak to the Minister for Transport Services and get this sorted out.”

Mr Piccolo has now challenged the Liberals to “put your money where your mouth is” and commit to Gawler’s buses.

“Vickie Chapman has said the Liberals have no plans to axe the service. She said she wants an even better service than we have now,” Mr Piccolo said.

“But she has made no commitment to a better service: no money, no dates, no timetables, no routes, just vague statements which are easily forgotten.

“I want her to put her money where her mouth is. I want the Liberals to tell the people of Gawler about their plans for a ‘better service’.

“I understand that it is the job of the Opposition to criticise the Government, but the public would really like to see some sort of alternative suggested.”