Inside the inner circle of state Liberal leader David Speirs’s key influencers

Find out the key players who have the ear of state Liberal leader David Speirs.

• Inside Mali’s inner circle

First-term Opposition Leader David Speirs models himself as an outsider who is more attuned to everyday people than the political class.

His networks at the top end of town are still developing, having effectively fallen into the leadership as the last person standing after the Marshall Liberal government’s landslide defeat after one term.

Mr Speirs sits outside the Liberal Party’s infamously combustible factions – the Moderates and Conservatives.

Seeking to rebuild Liberal electoral appeal after the stunning 2022 election defeat, he has used his southwestern Adelaide seat of Black as a template for the concerns of Middle Australia.

South Australia opposition of David Speirs. Picture: NCA NewsWire

He is justifiably proud of his efforts in holding the marginal since 2014 – his margin was 9.4 per cent before the 2022 rout whittled that to 2.7 per cent.

Mr Speirs wants to be attuned to the everyday views of shopkeepers, small business owners, his Brighton and Seacliff surf clubs.

Intriguingly, he has forged close relations with Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, a former journalist and Howard government media adviser. Like Speirs, he served as a local councillor and deputy mayor before entering state politics. (Speirs was Marion deputy mayor from 2011-13.)

Mr Crisafulli faces voters in October and is considered a strong chance to unseat Labor, which has been the dominant party of government in recent times – much like in SA.

Mr Speirs also has worked with federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, adopting like-minded policy positions on nuclear energy and the Voice to Parliament referendum.

It is understood the pair regularly exchange texts and Mr Speirs finds his counterpart’s counsel insightful and relevant.

Opposition leader David Speirs, left, with his deputy leader John Gardner. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

David Speirs’s inner circle

Family: Parents moved with him to SA in 2002. Particularly takes counsel from his politically aware mother.

John Gardner: Liberal deputy leader, Moderate faction powerbroker.

Ashton Hurn: Health spokeswoman – worked together to push ramping issue and hold government to account for unfulfilled core promise.

John Olsen: Liberal federal president, former premier and consul-general in Los Angeles and New York. Now Adelaide Football Club chairman. Astute and internationally respected political operator. Talk regularly and Speirs relies upon him as source of timeless advice

Isobel Redmond, Steven Marshall, Dean Brown: also talks regularly with these former Liberal leaders.

Shadow Health Minister Ashton Hurn. Picture: Dean Martin

Former Premier Stephen Marshall. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Alex May: The person Speirs wanted as Liberal state director.

Rowan Mumford: The person Speirs wanted as Liberal state president. Adelaide Hills gym and beauty salon director.

Tim Cooper: Managing director of Coopers Brewery is among key business people Speirs talks to through Liberal fundraising arm

Regional mayors: Particularly Lynette Martin, Mt Gambier; Michael Pengilly, Kangaroo Island; and Leon Stephens, Port Pirie.

Mates: Including paramedics, tradies, retail workers and footballers.

Former federal member for Boothy Nicolle Flint. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Nicolle Flint: Sky News contributor and former Boothby MP who wants to make a political comeback.

David Basheer: Hotelier is among business relationships Speirs has tried to rebuild after they were tarnished during Marshall government’s last days.

Cullen Bailey: former state cricketer, a leg-spin bowler. A ministerial chief-of-staff in the Marshall government who is now regional head corporate affairs for Nyrstar, operators of the Port Pirie smelter.

David Crisafulli: Queensland Opposition Leader.

Former Member for Schubert and transport minister Stephan Knoll. Picture: Jack Hudson.

Former Member for Waite Sam Duluk. Picture: Mike Burton

Stephan Knoll/Sam Duluk: Elected in 2014 and 2015 respectively, so from same Liberal intake as Speirs, who was elected in 2014.

Carolyn Power: Former Liberal MP and Marion councillor.

Brighton and Seacliff surf clubs: Joined after moving to Australia to become involved with community. Continues to volunteer when has time.

Black state electoral committee: Liberal members in electorate.