SA state election 2026: Backlash as David Speirs considers standing as an independent in Black

A potential political comeback by convicted cocaine supplier and former Liberal leader David Speirs has been lashed by his former Labor rivals.

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan has lashed a potential political comeback by former Liberal leader David Speirs, branding it “extraordinary” that a convicted cocaine supplier believes “there’s still room for him” in parliament.

The Advertiser on Monday revealed the former opposition leader David Speirs is considering standing in his old seat of Black as an independent.

It is understood Mr Speirs, who in April was convicted in Adelaide Magistrates Court of two counts of supplying cocaine and fined $9000, has been galvanised by the algal bloom crisis sweeping the state.

Mr Mullighan accused the Liberals of a “deathly silence” on a potential comeback by Mr Speirs, saying “this was the bloke they wanted to be the premier up until only a few months ago”.

Asked on FIVEAA if he had any concerns about Mr Speirs returning to politics, Mr Mullighan said: “It’s just extraordinary, isn’t it? I mean, convicted of drug supply and now looking to make a comeback....I just find it extraordinary that David thinks that there’s still room for him in the political landscape or in parliament.”

In response, a Liberal Party spokesperson said: “Who the people of Black elect as their representative is a matter for the people of Black. We will be preselecting a Liberal candidate for the seat of Black in due course.”

Powerbrokers from both the Labor and Liberal parties say they are developing campaigns for next March’s state election based on Mr Speirs recontesting his former southwestern Adelaide seat, because of his renewed public profile.

Mr Speirs is hosting a charity fundraiser on Thursday ahead of a Kokoda Track walk supporting mental health groups from August 22-31.

Major party strategists have told The Advertiser they believe Mr Speirs, a former environment minister, will announce his independent candidacy after the Kokoda trek and seize upon the algal bloom crisis as a key issue.

Asked by The Advertiser if he intended to contest Black as an independent, Mr Speirs said “standing for re-election is definitely not front of mind at the moment” ahead of his Kokoda trek.

But he said his “passion for conservation” initially had spurred him to enter public life and “that’s why this algal bloom worries me so much”.

His comments follow an August 6 Instagram post about the Kokoda trek under his “davidspeirsmp” account, in which Mr Speirs says he is “incredibly grateful” for the “great support that I have from hundreds, if not thousands, of people across South Australia, but particularly in the community that I used to represent”.

“We’re taking it seriously. We believe he will run as an independent,” a senior Labor source told The Advertiser.

It is understood Labor now will allocate more resources to defend Black, won last November by Alex Dighton in a by-election forced by Mr Speirs’ resignation from parliament after being arrested the previous month.

Mr Speirs was convicted of two counts of supplying cocaine and fined $9000. Picture: NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

The Liberals are yet to preselect a Black candidate but are distancing themselves from Mr Speirs and vowing to run a strong campaign in a bid to recapture the seat.

“David Speirs is the splinter that the Liberal Party is very pleased to have worked out from under its skin,” one Liberal said.

Mr Speirs’ cocaine supply conviction raises questions about his eligibility to stand as a candidate, under the state constitution.

Asked about this, state Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry pointed out legislative requirements which appear to bar from candidacy anyone “convicted of an indictable offence”.

His cocaine supply conviction raises questions about his eligibility to stand as a candidate under the state constitution. Picture: Brenton Edwards

It is likely Mr Sherry would have to seek advice from the Crown Solicitor’s Office should Mr Speirs choose to nominate ahead of the state election on March 21, 2026.

He suspended his Liberal membership and ultimately left the party after his arrest, which was made public a month after The Advertiser published a forensically-authenticated video of him appearing to snort white powder on June 30, 2024.

Until his downfall, Mr Speirs was rated by supporters and opponents alike for his tenacity and community connection as a grassroots MP in his coastal electorate.

Mr Speirs was a Liberal MP from 2014-24 and led the state party from 2018 until quitting in August last year.