Embattled Liberal leader David Speirs defiant about leadership as he issues veiled threats to plotters

Embattled Opposition Leader David Speirs has issued a veiled threat against leadership plotters as he faced new political pressure over his junked overseas wedding holiday plans.

David Speirs, who has come under pressure over his leadership, with frontbencher Vincent Tarzia. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Embattled Opposition Leader David Speirs has issued a veiled threat against leadership plotters as he faced new political pressure over his junked overseas wedding holiday plans.

Scottish-born Mr Speirs, 39, was planning to attend a cousin’s nuptials in Scotland later next month, weeks after he missed the state budget for another relative’s wedding.

But Mr Speirs was forced to abandon his plans amid a mounting internal revolt that his holiday may left him missing from the first week of parliament after the midwinter break.

Sources say leadership talks had occurred but factional leaders have not as yet identified an obvious successor as MPs become increasingly concerned at a potential landslide loss in 2026.

On Wednesday, after The Advertiser reported the party turmoil, Mr Speirs launched a heated defence of his Liberal leadership job as aspirants publicly defended his role.

He also took to social media to deny he had “plans” to attend.

Mr Speirs, who has come under fire from across the party for his leadership and decisions, issued a veiled threat to his detractors and at the newspaper.

“There is no speculation about my leadership beyond the media,” he told ABC Radio.

“If someone wants to challenge me, come on and challenge me.

“I reckon I’d get more votes than I got when I got elected leader of this Party in 2022.”

Mr Speirs, who sources claimed has repeatedly voiced that he wished to quit his role amid widespread internal “chaos”, convincingly won the Liberal leadership after former Premier Steven Marshall lost the 2022 election to Labor’s Peter Malinauskas.

Leadership aspirants, frontbenchers and former lower house speakers Vincent Tarzia and Josh Teague – who has faced his own electorate leadership problems – were both forced to deny on Wednesday they wanted the top job.

David Speirs, who has come under fire after the party’s disastrous Dunstan by-election campaign that Mr Marshall sparked when he quit parliament, with Vincent Tarzia. Picture: Emma Brasier

And with fellow frontbencher Josh Teague, left. Picture: Zayda Dollie

Asked on FIVEaa Breakfast if Mr Speirs was “doing a good job”, Mr Tarzia gave lukewarm backing.

“Look it’s a tough job, I think it’s a privileged position I think we all have privileged positions,” he said.

“We have got to work hard, Peter Malinauskas is beatable.

“But it’s a game of inches and it starts every day by doing things like fronting up … and then putting an alternative vision to the people of South Australia.

“I think the team is doing that and will continue to do that.”

Mr Teague, who sought the leadership in 2022, failed to repeatedly deny he wanted the job during a press conference in which he criticised Child Protection Katrine Hildyard’s position.

Later on Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Mr Teague “has ruled out a challenge”.

Another speculated leader Ashton Hurn is on maternity leave.

While some have suggested a new “dream team” involving Jack Batty was being considered, others have pointed to Ben Hood or John Gardner could serve alongside her.

Mr Hood, whose sister Lucy is a Labor MP, was elected to the Upper House last year and would need to switch to the Lower House if he wanted a leadership position.

The government on Wednesday piled further pressure on Mr Speirs’ position and his MPs.

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis, who is also the manager of government business, said Liberal plotters should “put up or shut up”.

“Yet again we see leaks, chaos, disunity and downright disloyalty from the SA Liberals,” he said.

“David Speirs is leader who doesn’t want to be there, and his colleagues are more interested in leaking against him than coming up with policy ideas which could improve our state.

“The people of South Australia deserve an Opposition that has the public interest as its sole focus – not internecine warfare.”

Originally published as Embattled Liberal leader David Speirs defiant about leadership as he issues veiled threats to plotters