Labor have won the seat of Black and they have former Liberal leader David Speirs to thank |Bermingham

Labor have achieved the impossible twice in the same year and they have the former Liberal leader David Speirs to thank, writes Kathryn Bermingham.

It took more than 116 years for a sitting state government to win an opposition-held seat at a by-election in our state.

Now, Labor has achieved the feat twice in the same year – and they have former Liberal leader David Speirs to thank.

After the Liberals lost the electorate of Dunstan in March, Mr Speirs went on to serve up his own seat of Black to Labor on a platter.

After the Liberals lost the electorate of Dunstan in March, Mr Speirs went on to serve up his own seat of Black to Labor on a platter. Picture: NewsWire / Dean Martin

Saturday night’s result has left the Liberals with a pitiful 13 of 47 seats in parliament’s lower house, and facing a road back to government that’s only getting longer.

Having resigned amid drug supply charges – which Mr Speirs has vowed to defend – the former Liberal leader endorsed the campaign of Liberal candidate Amanda Wilson.

Mr Speirs’ personal vote in his seat of 10 years was undeniable, but his declaration of support for Ms Wilson from outside Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Friday underscored just how damaging his exit from politics has been for his party.

And, after his overt efforts to undermine his successor Vincent Tarzia in the weeks after he resigned the leadership, his intention in speaking out was questionable.

Mr Tarzia, rallying his troops on Saturday night, said the circumstances were unprecedented and it’s “now time for us to heal as a team”.

He has no choice but to stay positive and focused, but the task of steadying the Liberal ship must feel overwhelming.

Making matters worse for the Liberals, they were up against a Premier whose popularity seems impenetrable.

Even with record ramping hanging over his head, Peter Malinauskas can romp it in at a by-election. What does it take to land a blow? Mr Tarzia is too new for this result to threaten his leadership. But this result has left the mood within the Liberals blacker than black.