David Speirs has appeared at Christies Beach Magistrates Court to answer a drug charge and has addressed Adelaide media outside

The former Liberal leader appeared outside an Adelaide court and delivered a three-minute address to the media. Read his full speech and watch the video.

I didn’t realise that there were so many journalists in South Australia. I’ve missed all of you guys in the last three months since leaving the role of leader of the opposition. Look. I’m just gonna make a brief statement and I appreciate you waiting. That took a little bit longer, just some paperwork. Thank you for, for coming along. Obviously, you’re very interested in this matter. I’m not gonna talk specifically about anything that happened in the court. That’s not appropriate.

However, I acknowledge this has been a very difficult time for me personally, very difficult time for friends and for family members. And now for me it’s just a time to get around friends and family. I do want to thank the many hundreds of people in South Australia who have been so supportive of me and have reached out to see if I’m okay, to support friends and family, and to provide a level of encouragement, during this time. Really since leaving the role of a leader of the opposition, but obviously, more recently, with this legal matter arising. I really do want to thank the hundreds of people who have reached out to me.

It has meant a lot and it has actually sustained me during this time.

Former Liberal leader David Speirs appeared in Christies Beach Magistrates Court on a drug supply charge. Picture: NewsWire / Dean Martin

Following his appearance in court, David Speirs addressed the media. Picture: NewsWire / Dean Martin

I didn’t need to leave parliament. It was no compulsion to do so but I couldn’t sustain that job. I couldn’t do that job properly and I couldn’t execute my responsibilities as a member of parliament and also, deal with my mental health and wellbeing, through this process.

And so, obviously, there is a by-election tomorrow and so I will just make a couple of brief comments on that because serving the electors of Black, people living in Hallett Cove, Trott Park, Sheidow Park, communities that, you guys have gotten to know a little bit better through the by-election process perhaps.

He thanked his supporters and endorsed Liberal candidate Amanda Wilson ahead of the Black by-election. Picture: NewsWire / Dean Martin

That was the greatest privilege of my life being able to partner with the community to deliver projects for the community, but particularly being able to support individual South Australians, to resolve issues and matters of concern. That was the great privilege of being an MP, and I will miss it.

Obviously, if people in my community want to support me, one way they could do so is to vote for Amanda Wilson tomorrow. She’s a passionate, energetic, engaging person. She shares my passion for the natural environment and that passing of the baton could be a really great way for me to move off into the sunset, for Amanda to take over.

It’s been really disappointing to see Amanda subject to the brutal Labor Party machine in the same way that I have been over the years, the misogynistic campaign, the bullying, the nastiness. But Amanda is above that, and I wish her all the very best. I’ve cast my vote for Amanda, and I hope many others will as well. Thank you.