Former Opposition leader David Speirs has been refused permission to serve alcohol at a fundraiser

Former Liberal leader and convicted cocaine supplier David Speirs jokingly told the charity event crowd he had to choose between breaking booze laws or “false advertising”.

Former opposition leader David Speirs could not serve alcohol at his fundraiser on Thursday night after the convicted cocaine supplier failed to secure a liquor licence.

Mr Speirs confirmed it to the crowd at the mental health charity event, which was held in the lead-up to his Kokoda Track walk from August 22-31.

Under the Liquor Licensing Act, “a person is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence if the person has been found guilty or convicted of an offence”, including one involving a “controlled drug”.

David Speirs was denied a licence to serve booze during his fundraising event on Thursday night, which was held Marino Community Hall, in the lead up to his Kokoda Track walk.

A government spokesperson said: “On 14 August Mr Speirs contacted our CBS (Consumer Business Service) seeking advice on a short term liquor licence for the event he was planning that same evening,” the spokesperson said.

“He was advised of the fit and proper person requirements under the Liquor Licence Act.”

“Mr Speirs advised CBS he would not be submitting an application.”

David Speirs held his first public event, a fundraiser for his Kokoda trek for Men's Mental Health. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Speirs will join the not-for-profit organisation Kokoda Centurions next month as he sets off to hike along the Kokoda Track. Picture: Facebook

Mr Speirs had advertised the event as a “paella, wine and jazz night” at the Marino Community Hall, with proceeds going towards men’s mental health.

Addressing the crowd at the fundraiser, Mr Speirs admitted it had been 10 months since he last held a microphone, quipping that he “hoped he still had it”.

He also addressed why no wine was being served at the event.

“I didn’t get a liquor licence sorted out for this function tonight,” Mr Speirs said.

“I had to wrestle today with whether to break our licensing laws or undertake some false advertising … and I went with the false advertising.”

Tickets to the event cost $70, or $55 for concessions.

On Tuesday, The Advertiser revealed Mr Speirs was being investigated for a possible breach of the Privacy Act after he emailed the constituents in his former seat of Black asking them for money to go towards his charity walk.

He stepped away from politics last year after The Advertiser published a video of him snorting a white substance.

Despite this, he appeared to be in good spirits at the event – his first official public appearance since his drug conviction – which drew a crowd of about 100 people.

A coffee van served hot drinks to guests.

David Speirs stepped away from politics last year after The Advertiser published a video of him snorting a white substance. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Mr Speirs welcomed quests at the front door while a jazz band set the scene inside.

Far from the formal events hosted by the one-time party leader, Thursday’s event felt more grassroots – with attendees grabbing some stacked chairs to sit around and chat.

This week, Mr Speirs made the shock announcement that he would not rule out a return to politics, while also confirming the white-powder scandal had taken a toll on his mental health.

“It was a very dark time, I’m not sugar coating it. I made mistakes but the consequences were very, very dramatic,” he told 9News.

“You’ve got to make a call: Do you continue, simple as that.

“That’s how dark it was, and pretty black and white for me.

“I don’t feel that I’ve got the resilience (at the moment to return to politics). I don’t feel I’ve healed enough.

“Life is OK, but I’m still rebuilding.”