Liberal leader David Speirs embroiled in new ‘holiday wedding’ row amid fresh leadership rumblings

Opposition Leader David Speirs has been forced to cancel plans to attend another family wedding overseas, as Liberal sources issued a withering verdict of his election prospects.

David Speirs has come under increasing pressure over his leadership of the SA Liberal Party. Picture: Matt Turner

Embattled Opposition Leader David Speirs has been forced to cancel new holiday plans to attend an overseas family wedding after a backlash over claims he may have missed parliamentary sitting days.

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 has abandoned his plans amid a mounting internal revolt that his holiday may miss the first week of parliament after the midwinter break.

Despite Mr Speirs’ not making the British trip, speculation around a leadership challenge, and his poor decisions, persist internally, party sources said.

They revealed leadership talks had occurred but factional leaders have not as yet identified an obvious successor.

“He has the talent of (the horse) Phar Lap but the body of a pony,” one source said.

Mr Speirs, who took over as Liberal leader after former Premier Steven Marshall lost the last state election in March 2022, defended himself from internal party, and government, criticism, after he was absent from June 6 budget to attend the family wedding in Scotland.

Dr Anna Finizio after the Dunstan by-election with Mr Speirs at the Robin Hood pub. Dr Finizio now works for his office. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Senior Liberal sources said attendance of both weddings of his cousins – who are siblings and whom Mr Speirs is especially close with – would have sparked accelerated leadership moves.

While officials denied the trip “existed”, aides had been exploring as late as Monday how he could attend without missing parliament.

But after questions from The Advertiser, the planned trip was canned on Monday afternoon, meaning he will no longer attend next month’s ceremony.

The logistics risked him missing part of the first week of parliament’s spring session starting on Tuesday, August 27.

The Liberals, who have targeted Child Protection Minister Katrine Hilyard for going on leave during departmental crisis, would not answer trip questions including flights or if he had RSVP’d.

Various sources describe “chaos” within the Liberal ranks and claims Mr Speirs has repeatedly indicated he wanted to quit his leadership – sparking a “boy who cried wolf” moniker.

MPs are increasingly concerned the party faces a drubbing at the 2026 election from a powerful Premier Peter Malinauskas and a resurgent Labor machine.

A swath of Liberal seats are under scrutiny from the Hills to Adelaide’s coast including Josh Teague’s Heysen, David Pisoni’s Unley, Matt Cowdrey’s Colton, David Basham’s Finnis and Adrian Pederick’s Hammond.

“We will suffer indignity unless something changes and fast – we need to save the furniture,” another source said.

David Speirs (second from left), Nick McBride, Josh Teague and Steven Marshall during the Liberal Party leadership ballot at Parliament House in Adelaide in April 2022. Picture: David Mariuz

A speculated leadership scenario involves a new “dream team” of Ashton Hurn – currently on maternity leave – as Liberal leader early next year with Jack Batty as her potential deputy.

Frontbenchers, and former lower house speakers, Vincent Tarzia and Josh Teague – who has faced his own electorate leadership problems – both hold leadership aspirations and have increased their public profiles in recent weeks.

Senior MPs last month traded barbs on the floor of parliament over Mr Speirs’ first absence, sparking furious scenes.

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis, who is also the manager of government business, implored Mr Speirs to “look up your title, it says opposition leader – not travel agent”.

An enraged Mr Speirs, who has come under fire after the party’s disastrous Dunstan by-election campaign that Mr Marshall sparked when he quit parliament, retorted “I’ve got a family too” and “you’re gross” before colleagues were forced to calm him.

Mr Speirs’ spokesman declined to comment on Tuesday.

Originally published as Liberal leader David Speirs embroiled in new ‘holiday wedding’ row amid fresh leadership rumblings