{{Short description|Australian politician}} {{about|the South Australian politician|the Australian journalist|David Speers|the Canadian cyclist|David Spears|the Canadian rugby player|David Speirs (rugby union)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2016}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = The Honourable<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2 June 2022 |title=Retention of the Title Honourable |url=https://www.governmentgazette.sa.gov.au/2022/June/2022_035_redacted.pdf |journal=South Australian Government Gazette |volume=35/2022 |issue=35 |pages=1255}}</ref> | name = David Speirs | honorific_suffix = | image = David Speirs crop.jpg | office = Leader of the Opposition in South Australia | deputy = John Gardner | term_start = {{start date|2022|04|19|df=y}} | term_end = {{end date|2024|08|08|df=y}} | signature = Signature of David Speirs.svg | predecessor = Peter Malinauskas | successor = Vincent Tarzia | office1 = Leader of the South Australian <br />Liberal Party | deputy1 = John Gardner | predecessor1 = Steven Marshall | term_start1 = {{start date|2022|04|19|df=y}} | term_end1 = {{end date|2024|08|08|df=y}} | premier = Peter Malinauskas | office2 = Minister for Environment and Water | term_start2 = {{start date|2018|03|22|df=y}} | term_end2 = {{end date|2022|03|21|df=y}} | predecessor2 = Ian Hunter {{small|(as Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation and as Minister for Water and the River Murray)}} | successor2 = Susan Close {{small|(as Minister for Climate, Environment and Water)}} | premier2 = Steven Marshall | constituency_AM3 = Black | assembly3 = South Australian House of | term_start3 = 17 March 2018 | term_end3 = 15 October 2024 | predecessor3 = ''New seat'' | successor3 = Alex Dighton | constituency_AM4 = Bright | assembly4 = South Australian House of | term_start4 = 15 March 2014 | term_end4 = 17 March 2018 | predecessor4 = Chloë Fox | successor4 = ''District abolished'' | birth_name = David James Speirs | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|12|15|df=y}} | birth_place = Galloway, Scotland | death_date = | death_place = | party = Independent (2026–present) | other_party = Liberal Party of Australia (SA) (–2026) | relations = | alma_mater = University of Adelaide | profession = | education = Stranraer Academy }}
'''David James Speirs''' (born 15 December 1984) is a Scottish-Australian politician, who was the Leader of the Opposition in South Australia and Leader of the South Australian Liberal Party from April 2022 until August 2024. He was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly from the 2014 state election, representing the electorate of Bright from 2014 to 2018, and its successor, the electorate of Black, from 2018 to 2024.
Speirs served as the Minister for Environment and Water in the Marshall Ministry between March 2018 and March 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |url =http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-22/sa-liberal-government-sworn-in-whos-who-in-ministry/9575712 |title =SA election: Who's who in the new South Australian Liberal Government? |last =MacLennan |first =Leah |date =22 March 2018 |website =ABC News |location =Australia |access-date =22 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url =http://governmentgazette.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/public/documents/gazette/2018/March/2018_020.pdf |title =The South Australian Government Gazette, 22 March 2018, No. 20, Supplementary Gazette |access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref>
On 8 August 2024 Speirs resigned as State Liberal Party leader, triggering a contest for his position, which was won by Vincent Tarzia. On 5 October, Speirs announced he would resign from the SA Parliament after he was charged with drug-supply offences,<ref name="arrest">{{Cite news |url =https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-05/david-speirs-confirms-arrest-and-police-raid-on-his-home/104436784 |title =Former SA Liberal leader David Speirs to face court charged with drug offences, police confirm |last =Lim |first =Josephine |last2 =McClaren |first2 =Rory |date =5 October 2024|website =ABC News |location =Australia |access-date =5 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="quit">{{Cite news |url =https://www.indaily.com.au/news/politics/2024/10/05/david-speirs-to-quit-parliament-after-police-raid-and-arrest |title =David Speirs to quit parliament after police raid and arrest |last = Kelsall |first = Thomas |date =5 October 2024 |website=Indaily |location =Australia |access-date =5 October 2024}}</ref> of which he was later convicted.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-24 |title=Former SA opposition leader David Speirs convicted over drug supply charges |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-24/david-speirs-sentenced-over-drug-supply-charges/105207020 |access-date=2026-04-04 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> In 2026, Speirs returned as an independent candidate for the electorate of Black in the South Australian state election, but was not successful in regaining the seat.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-02 |title=Black - SA Electorate, Candidates, Results |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/sa/2026/guide/blac |access-date=2026-04-04 |website=www.abc.net.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
==Background and early career== Speirs was born in Galloway, Scotland, and was schooled at Kirkcolm Primary School and Stranraer Academy.<ref name=maidenspeech>{{cite web|last1=Speirs|first1=David|title=Maiden speech|url=http://davidspeirs.com.au/maiden-speech/|accessdate=20 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715002228/http://davidspeirs.com.au/maiden-speech/|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He emigrated to Australia with his parents and two younger brothers at the age of 17 in 2002.<ref name=shambles/>
In 2008, Speirs graduated from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours). He was elected as a councillor and deputy mayor for the Marion City Council, serving between 2010 and 2014. He worked in senior and principal policy development positions within the state Cabinet Office, in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, between 2008 and 2014.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}
Speirs was a national director of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Australia between 2010 and 2014.<ref name=DukeofEd>{{cite web|publisher=Duke of Edinburgh Australia|title=Speaking out at APEC Voices of the Future| url=http://www.dukeofed.com.au/Speaking-out-at-APEC-Voices-of-the-Future.html|accessdate=23 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714214210/http://www.dukeofed.com.au/Speaking-out-at-APEC-Voices-of-the-Future.html|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012, Speirs received the Community Leadership Award at the Channel 9 Young Achievers Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.awardsaustralia.com/young-achiever-awards/sa/previous-winners/ |title=Channel 9 Young Achievers Awards |publisher=Awards Australia |work=South Australia: Previous winners |date= |accessdate= }}</ref>
==Parliamentary career== Speirs entered the South Australian Parliament in March 2014, defeating Chloë Fox, Labor's Minister for Transport Services.<ref>"[http://www.abc.net.au/news/sa-election-2014/guide/brig/ "State Election Votes 2014"]. ''Retrieved 23 March 2014''.</ref>
In October 2014, Speirs was appointed to the Parliament's Economic and Finance Committee<ref>"[https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Committees/Pages/Committees.aspx?CTId=5&CId=292 Parliament's Economic and Finance Committee] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507134224/https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Committees/Pages/Committees.aspx?CTId=5&CId=292 |date=7 May 2016 }}" ''Retrieved 4 April 2016''.</ref> following the resignation of Iain Evans. In January 2016, he was elevated to Steven Marshall's Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Cabinet Secretary.<ref>"[http://www.stevenmarshall.com.au/tackling_south_australia_s_economic_crisis "Marshall Liberal Team"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415132313/http://www.stevenmarshall.com.au/tackling_south_australia_s_economic_crisis |date=15 April 2016 }}. "Tackling South Australia's economic crisis". Retrieved 4 April 2016.</ref> In January 2017, Speirs ascended to the front bench as Shadow Minister for the Environment.<ref>[http://www.stevenmarshall.com.au/leading_a_focused_government "Marshall Liberal Team"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075015/http://www.stevenmarshall.com.au/leading_a_focused_government |date=11 February 2017 }}. "Leading a focused government". Retrieved 25 January 2017.</ref>
In March 2018, following the election of the Marshall Government at the South Australian Election, Speirs was sworn in as Minister for Environment and Water.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-03-22 |title=Here's the team steering SA's first Liberal Government in 16 years |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-22/sa-liberal-government-sworn-in-whos-who-in-ministry/9575712 |access-date=2022-04-19}}</ref>
During his time as Minister, Speirs oversaw the establishment of Green Adelaide<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-08 |title=$5 Million Boost to Green Adelaide's CBD |url=https://www.greenroofs.com/2021/11/08/5-million-boost-to-green-adelaides-cbd/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=Greenroofs.com |language=en}}</ref> and regional landscape boards,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Catherine |date=2020-06-25 |title=Landscape changes for natural resource management |url=http://www.stockjournal.com.au/story/6805224/landscape-changes-for-natural-resource-management/ |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=Stock Journal |language=en-AU}}</ref> significant reduction of water bills<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-06-11 |title='Tsunami of savings': SA households to save $200 on water bills |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-11/sa-households-to-save-on-water-bills-amid-coronavirus/12343558 |access-date=2022-04-19}}</ref> and an increase in the land protected as national parks including the creation of Glenthorne National Park{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} in Adelaide's southern suburbs and Australia's biggest national park at the Simpson Desert.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-11-26 |title=SA announces 'grand initiative' to create Australia's largest national park |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-26/munga-thirri-simpson-desert-biggest-national-park-australia/100654714 |access-date=2022-04-19}}</ref>
In March 2021, legislation introduced by Speirs meant South Australia became the first state in Australia to ban single-use plastics.<ref name="planetark.org">{{Cite web |title=South Australia becomes first state to ban single-use plastics |url=http://planetark.org/newsroom/news/south-australia-becomes-first-state-to-ban-single-use-plastics |access-date=2022-04-19 |website=PlanetArk |language=English}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=April 2024}} The first items to be banned were single-use plastic straws, cutlery and drink stirrers with other items such as polystyrene containers phased out in March 2022.<ref name="planetark.org"/>
In November 2021, Speirs contested the deputy party leader and Deputy Premier ballot, but lost to Dan van Holst Pellekaan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-25/sa-new-deputy-premier-announced/100650786|title=SA Mining and Energy Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan is officially SA's new Deputy Premier|publisher=ABC News|date=25 November 2021|access-date=25 November 2021}}</ref>
After outgoing Premier Steven Marshall resigned as leader of the Liberal Party, Speirs was elected leader on 19 April 2022, becoming South Australia's 44th Opposition Leader.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-19 |title=Former environment minister David Speirs elected SA Liberal leader |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-19/sa-liberals-elect-david-speirs-as-new-leader/100998430 |access-date=2022-04-19}}</ref>
On 8 August 2024, Speirs stood down as Opposition leader, saying he had had a "gutful" of the job and wanted to give the party the best chance in the next election. The subsequent Liberal leadership election was won by Vincent Tarzia. Speirs stated he intended to remain in parliament as the member for the electoral district of Black.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-08 |title=SA Liberals' David Speirs resigns as opposition leader to give party 'best possible' chance at next election |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-08/opposition-leader-david-speirs-resigns-as-liberal-leader/104200852 |access-date=2024-08-08}}</ref>
Following his resignation from Opposition leadership, Speirs was embroiled in a scandal over a video that appeared to show him using illicit substances.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-10/sa-liberal-former-leader-david-speirs-snorting-video/104330642 |title=Alleged 'deepfake' snorting video appearing to show David Speirs came as 'complete shock' to Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia |last= Keane |first= David |date=10 September 2024|website=ABC News |location=Australia |access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref> Speirs claimed the video was a deepfake but, on 5 October 2024, he announced that he would resign from South Australia's parliament, revealing that his house had been raided and he had been arrested as a result of the video.<ref name="arrest"/><ref name="quit"/>
===2026 State election=== On 27 February 2026, Speirs confirmed he had nominated to run in the 2026 SA election as an independent for his former seat of Black.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-27/david-speirs-announces-political-comeback-for-sa-election/106389794|title=Ex-SA Liberal leader David Speirs says he will contest state election, 10 months after drug conviction|date=27 February 2026|access-date=28 February 2026|publisher=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indailysa.com.au/news/just-in/2026/02/27/second-chances-are-not-easily-given-david-speirs-to-run-in-state-election|work=In Daily SA|title='Second chances are not easily given': David Speirs to run in state election|first=David|last=Simmons|date=27 February 2026|access-date=28 February 2026}}</ref> The Electoral Commission of South Australia had said in January that Speirs would not be eligible for public campaign funding under the state's new election funding system, pointing to clauses in the state's constitution that say a candidate is not eligible for nomination if they would be required to vacate their seat upon election, and that a MP's seat becomes vacant if they are "convicted of an indictable offence".<ref name=eligible>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-23/david-speirs-not-entitled-to-campaign-funding-commission-says/106252588|title=David Speirs not entitled to public campaign funding, electoral commission says|first=Thomas|last=Kelsall|date=23 January 2026|access-date=28 February 2026|publisher=ABC News}}</ref> Candidates will be officially declared on 2 March 2026.<ref name=eligible/> On 28 February, both the Liberal and Labor parties said they would preference Speirs last.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-28/sa-liberal-and-labor-to-preference-david-speirs-last-at-election/106400228|title=SA Liberal and Labor to preference David Speirs last at state election|first=Evelyn|last1=Manfield|first2=Josephine|last2=Lim|publisher=ABC News|date=28 February 2026|access-date=28 February 2026}}</ref> Speirs lost to South Australian Labor Party's incumbent MP in the electoral district of Black, Alex Dighton, placing third on March 21 following the 2026 South Australian state election.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/sa/2026/guide/blac|title=SA Election 2026|publisher=ABC News|date=21 March 2026|access-date=24 March 2026}}</ref>
==Political views== Speirs has been described as socially conservative. He voted against abortion and euthanasia reforms, but said he was "not going to die on ideological mountains."<ref name=shambles/> Speirs supported nuclear energy, a position that was backed by South Australian uranium miners.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://smallcaps.com.au/south-australian-uranium-miners-welcome-opposition-leaders-nuclear-energy-support/ | title=South Australian uranium miners welcome opposition leader's nuclear energy support | date=27 June 2023 }}</ref> He opposed the state and federal Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposals, but supported constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/opposition-leader-david-speirs-says-sa-liberal-party-will-not-back-federal-voice-to-parliament/news-story/ad23dcee83bedcc5de4a12f765854140?amp |title=Opposition Leader David Speirs says SA Liberal Party will not back federal Voice to Parliament |first=Riley |last=Walter |date=28 July 2023 |newspaper=The Advertiser}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8287133/sa-liberals-to-oppose-voice-ahead-of-referendum/ | title=SA Liberals to oppose voice ahead of referendum | date=28 July 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://nit.com.au/28-07-2023/6981/south-australian-liberal-party-opposes-national-voice-to-parliament |title=South Australian Liberal Party opposes national Voice to Parliament |first=Jarred |last=Cross |date=28 July 2023 |newspaper=National Indigenous Times}}</ref>
==Personal life== Speirs was previously married.<ref name=shambles>{{cite news|title=Speirs on election shambles: I was like a kid strapped in the back seat of the car and dad's passed out|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/sa-weekend/speirs-on-election-shambles-i-was-a-kid-strapped-in-the-back-seat-of-the-car-and-dads-passed-out/news-story/9a058e6647351397df893754260665fe|work=The Advertiser|date=February 2023|access-date=26 April 2024|first=Michael|last=McGuire}}</ref> In his maiden speech, he called himself a "believing practising Christian" and pledged to conduct himself "within the moral constraints of the Christian faith".<ref name=maidenspeech/> He faced criticism in 2021 when he spoke at a church and encouraged those in attendance to join the Liberal Party,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indaily.com.au/news/2021/06/04/the-divine-right-pentecostal-recruitment-drive-divides-sa-libs|work=In Daily|title=Speirs calls for end to Libs' 'Divine Right' recruitment drive|date=21 April 2022|access-date=26 April 2024}}</ref> but later said the issue had been taken out of context.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-13/david-speirs-to-run-for-south-australian-liberal-leadership/100987486|title=Former environment minister David Speirs puts his hand up for Liberal leadership|last=MacLennan|first=Leah|publisher=ABC News|date= April 2022|access-date=26 April 2024}}</ref>
Speirs is an active lifesaver at the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club and has a strong interest in health and fitness.<ref>"{{cite SA-parl |pid=4837 |name=David Speirs |former= |access-date=19 August 2022}}</ref> He is a founding member of the Hallett Cove-based environmental group, Friends of the Lower Field River,<ref name=FR>{{cite web |url=http://www.fieldriver.org/news.php |title=News |publisher=Friends of the Lower Field River |date= |access-date=8 July 2014 }}</ref> a Landcare group established by Hallett Cove residents in 2006 to protect and care for the lower portion of the Field River and its environs.<ref name=FR/>
Speirs completed all three levels of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dukeofed.com.au/story/david-speirs/|title=David Speirs|website=dukeofed.com.au}}</ref> He also reportedly owned 13 properties by 39 years of age.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/airbnb-reform-row-engulfs-opposition-leader-david-speirs-after-it-emerged-that-he-rents-almost-a-quarter-of-his-expansive-property-portfolio-on-shortterm-website/news-story/c2a5a1a4028a317c3002ac8ee9763f82?amp&nk=48a4256419322891ef4ae85a80c20da1-1702812611 |title=Airbnb reform row engulfs Opposition Leader David Speirs after it emerged that he rents almost a quarter of his expansive property portfolio on short-term website|website=adelaidenow.com.au|access-date=15 January 2024 |first=Andrew |last=Hough |first2=Kathryn |last2=Bermingham |archive-date=17 December 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231217113000/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/airbnb-reform-row-engulfs-opposition-leader-david-speirs-after-it-emerged-that-he-rents-almost-a-quarter-of-his-expansive-property-portfolio-on-shortterm-website/news-story/c2a5a1a4028a317c3002ac8ee9763f82?amp&nk=48a4256419322891ef4ae85a80c20da1-1702812611|url-status=live}}</ref>
In March 2025, Speirs appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court, where the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed that two charges of supplying a controlled substance would proceed. The alleged offences occurred in August 2024, and Speirs was arrested in September after a video reportedly showed him snorting from a plate. At a hearing on 27 March 2025 he pleaded guilty to the charges, and was sentenced on 24 April 2025 to a $9,000 fine and 37.5 hours of community service. Speirs received two convictions, one for each charge.<ref>Bermingham, Kathryn (27 March 2025). [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-27/david-speirs-guilty-plea-drug-charges/105101666 Former SA opposition leader David Speirs pleads guilty to drug charges in Adelaide Magistrates Court] ''ABC News'', Retrieved 27 March 2025.</ref><ref name="sentence">{{cite news |title=David James Speirs sentenced at Adelaide court for cocaine supply shame |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/david-james-speirs-to-face-sentence-at-adelaide-court-for-cocaine-supply-shame/news-story/12b030226a517be92fe74a47842b2f61 |access-date=24 April 2025 |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Corp Australia |date=24 April 2025}}</ref>
==See also== *Shadow ministry of David Speirs
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20140715022958/http://www.saliberal.org.au/Members/StateHouseofAssembly/DavidSpeirsMP.aspx David Speirs MP] *[http://davidspeirs.com.au/home/ David Speirs, Member for Bright] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714182851/http://davidspeirs.com.au/home/ |date=14 July 2014 }}
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef| before = Ian Hunter| as = Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation<br />and as Minister for Water and the River Murray}} {{s-ttl| title = Minister for Environment and Water| years = 2018–2022}} {{s-aft|after=Susan Close|as=Minister for Climate, Environment and Water}} {{s-bef|before=Steven Marshall}} {{s-ttl|title= Leader of the Opposition in South Australia|years=2022–2024}} {{s-aft |after=Vincent Tarzia}} {{s-par|au-sa-la}} {{s-bef| before = Chloë Fox}} {{s-ttl| title = Member for Bright| years = 2014–2018}} {{s-non| reason = District abolished}} {{s-new|seat}} {{s-ttl| title = Member for Black| years = 2018–2024}} {{s-aft|after=Alex Dighton}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=Steven Marshall}} {{s-ttl|title=Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|years=2022–2024}} {{s-aft |after=Vincent Tarzia}} {{s-end}}
{{Leaders of the Liberal Party of Australia (SA division)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Speirs, David}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the South Australian House of Assembly Category:Leaders of the opposition in South Australia Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of South Australia Category:Australian people convicted of drug offences Category:Australian politicians convicted of crimes Category:University of Adelaide alumni Category:People educated at Stranraer Academy Category:Scottish emigrants to Australia Category:21st-century Scottish politicians Category:21st-century Australian politicians Category:Deputy mayors of places in South Australia Category:South Australian local councillors