Liberal Black by-election candidate Amanda Wilson says she supports mandatory random drug-testing for MPs

The Liberal candidate vying to replace former opposition leader David Speirs has thrown her support behind a proposal that would require politicians to submit to drug testing. Vote in poll.

Liberal candidate for Black Amanda Wilson, who is vying to replace former opposition leader David Speirs, has thrown her support behind mandatory drug testing for politicians.

Ahead of this weekend’s Black by-election, Ms Wilson said random drug testing was appropriate for MPs, who are performing a public service.

Explaining how she came to the position, she said was out door knocking in the electorate when a tradie raised the issue with her.

“He thought it was really unfair that tradies had to do compulsory drug tests and politicians didn’t have to,” she said.

“I thought that was a really fair point.”

Liberal Candidate Amanda Wilson at pre-poll ahead of this weekend’s Black by-election. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Ms Wilson said her support for the proposal was unrelated to the situation of Mr Speirs, who resigned from parliament after he was charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance.

Mr Speirs, due to front court for the first time on Friday, has vowed to clear his name of all allegations.

Ms Wilson, who is on a leave of absence from her role as Holdfast Bay mayor, said a drug-testing policy would improve public trust in members of parliament.

“I think anything that provides a high level of confidence in politicians is welcome,” she said.

“A lot of other people in the workforce have to submit to drug testing, and politicians are making legislation – they should be held to a higher standard.”

She said she would also support a drug-testing policy for local government elected officials, but she did not have a specific proposal for how such a policy would be implemented.

Asked on ABC Radio Adelaide whether he would support the idea, Labor’s candidate in the by-election, Alex Dighton, said drug testing currently occurred “for industries where there is a need for that”.

“I’m very happy to support drug testing if that’s the way that the parliament thinks is important and that’s what people think is important,” he said.

Labor candidate Alex Dighton. Picture: Supplied

But Premier Peter Malinauskas said the proposal was not on the government’s agenda.

“It sounds like something the Libs might be thinking about in terms of a pre-selection test, I don’t know,” he said.

“I’m certainly not averse to the idea but I think this is more a question for the Liberal Party in their pre-selection processes than anything else.”

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he did not believe random alcohol and drug testing in federal parliament should take place.

“It’s not something that I have supported, I think that people need to act responsibly at all times, to bear in mind the great privilege and hour that we have of being in this chamber in the various positions that occur,” he said.

“Whether they be on the frontbench of the other side, whether it be backbench members or whether it be crossbench members as well.“

The Black by-election will be held this Saturday November 16.