Terse talks between Liberal leader David Speirs and Master Builders SA over dinner invite

Terse conversations have erupted between state Liberal leader David Speirs and a key ally after a perceived snub over a black tie dinner.

Terse conversations erupted between state Liberal leader David Speirs and a key business ally after a perceived weekend awards night snub that has both sides scrambling to repair relations.

A furore exploded after Master Builders SA, which has joined the Liberals in lashing a militant construction union takeover, did not invite Mr Speirs or his colleagues to a Building Excellence Awards dinner on Friday night at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Premier Peter Malinauskas, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis and Business Affairs Minister Andrea Michaels attended the black tie dinner.

Mr Speirs had been invited by a builder he knew personally but pulled out before the event in protest at no Liberals receiving an official invite.

It is understood Mr Speirs and his chief of staff Ryan Smith had terse conversations with MBSA officials, including state president and construction firm chief Tom Emmett, arguing the Liberals had been snubbed.

Relations between the MBSA and the Liberals soured under the previous Marshall government and it is understood Mr Speirs strenuously argued his attempts to repair them had been ignored.

This was despite the MBSA attempting to repair the rift with last-minute tickets and an insistence of non-partisanship.

The former premier Steven Marshall watches the-then environment minister David Speirs at a press conference in February. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Speculation that Mr Speirs had demanded the sacking of MBA chief Will Frogley, a former Liberal staffer, could not be confirmed and was rejected by the Liberals.

Asked to respond, Mr Speirs’ spokesman said: “Building and construction is a critical industry in South Australia, and we will always stand up for local businesses, just like we have in recent weeks as the John Setka-led CFMEU infiltrated our state.

“We will continue to work closely and collaboratively with the Master Builders Association to support local jobs and promote the industry.”

MBSA director, policy and communications Estha van der Linden said: “Master Builders enjoys excellent relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders. Our mission is to create a strong building and construction industry and economy, and we enjoy working collaboratively with anyone who shares those objectives.”

At the MBA annual celebration of a great construction industry with over 1300 here to celebrate their achievements & David Speirs pulled out last minute & not one Liberal MP has attended.

Not one has turned up to support an industry that some consider the Liberal base. pic.twitter.com/GefCwke7Rs

— Tom Koutsantonis MP (@TKoutsantonisMP) August 19, 2022

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis, who on Twitter taunted Mr Speirs for not turning up to the event to “support an industry that some consider the Liberal base”, accused him of failing to heed lessons from the March 19 election defeat and listen to business.

“Leadership is about listening. It doesn’t sound like Mr Speirs has got the right temperament and he needs to work on that,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

The Labor veteran on Friday threatened legal action against Mr Speirs after the Liberal leader issued a press release linking his ministerial office to an anonymous “Concerned Liberals” email account, which has been leaking internal Liberal documents and information for more than a year.