David Speirs elected new SA Liberal leader as Steven Marshall breaks silence

New Liberal leader David Speirs has promised to revamp the party and focus on winning back government at the next election rather than “keeping this seat warm”.

New Liberal leader David Speirs is vowing to rebuild the party’s fractured relationship with its traditional small and family business base by taking the portfolio when he reveals his shadow cabinet later this week.

Mr Speirs, who is promising to rebuild the party and immediately turn his attention to winning back government in 2026, declared he had spoken to numerous business owners who said they had turned away from the Liberals and cast their votes elsewhere.

Speaking to The Advertiser after claiming the leadership, said Covid-19 restrictions had caused the loss of significant amounts of support among business, particularly in hospitality and tourism sectors.

“So I will be putting the support of small and family-based businesses at the very heart of our policy agenda,” he said.

Speaking earlier at a press conference, Mr Speirs said “I’m not about keeping this seat warm for the future”.

“We are firmly focused on winning in 2026,” he said.

Mr Speirs said the party would reflect on its crushing election defeat and work to reconnect with South Australian voters.

He listed the mixed reaction to the Covid border reopening and lifting of restrictions as one area that had hurt the party at the election, as well as opposition to the Riverbank Arena and cancellation of the Adelaide 500 car race.

But he said he was confident he could build on the legacy of the former government while also delivering a fresh approach, energy and enthusiasm for “what South Australia can and should be”.

Newly elected SA Liberal leader David Speirs at Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Mr Speirs moved to shut down speculation that he does not have the support of former deputy leader Vickie Chapman, who missed today’s vote because she is on leave.

“I don’t think there are significant divisions in this party at all,” he said.

He said the new leadership team includes two first-generation migrants and reflects “modern South Australia”.

MLC and upper house whip Dennis Hood announced Mr Speirs won the contest with 18 votes in the joint party room meeting on Tuesday morning.

Josh Teague finished with five votes, and Nick McBride finished with one vote. The decision was reached after a meeting that lasted about 30 minutes.

Former education minister John Gardner was elected as deputy leader with 11 votes. Tim Whetstone received three votes and Vincent Tarzia two.

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Nicola Centofanti had been elected the party’s leader in the upper house, winning six votes. The other contender was Michelle Lensink, who won two votes.

Jing Lee was unopposed in her election as deputy leader in the upper house.

The new leadership team fronted the media later this morning with Mr Speirs saying they represented “a fresh, diverse and unified team which will rebuild the Liberal Party and cast an alternative vision for the state of South Australia”.

“We will provide a fresh approach to what leadership looks like, not just in our party but within our state.”

David Speirs enters the party room meeting. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

John Gardner has been elected as deputy leader of the Liberal Party. Picture: Matt Loxton

Earlier, Mr Hood announced that Mr Speirs had won the ballot, saying: “Today the parliamentary Liberal Party has met to elect a leader of our party for the first time in over nine years.”

“It’s been a very long time that Steven Marshall has been our leader.

“Of course, given the election result, a change of leader was necessary and today we have elected that new leader. That new leader is the member for Black, David Speirs.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas congratulated Mr Speirs on his elevation and said he hoped for a constructive relationship with the opposition.

“I hope there is an opportunity for us to work collaboratively on a range of issues that are in our state's interest,” he said.

Mr Speirs, 37, entered parliament at the 2014 election and was elevated to the shadow cabinet in 2016.

In 2017, it was revealed that taxpayers forked out about $50,000 to settle a bullying and harassment claim filed against him by his former office manager. But Mr Speirs claimed the allegations were untrue, and Mr Marshall stood by him.

David Speirs (second from left), Nick McBride, Tim Whetstone and Steven Marshall during the Liberal Party leadership ballot at Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Also on Tuesday, former Premier Steven Marshall broke his silence for the first time since he stepped down as leader of the Liberal Party to thank South Australians as he returned to the backbench.

“It has been the greatest privilege to serve South Australians over the last nine years and to lead the state as Premier through one of the most important and difficult periods in recent history,” Mr Marshall said.

“We accomplished incredible things as a Liberal government and, despite the challenges caused by COVID-19, worked tirelessly to ensure South Australia emerges from the pandemic stronger than ever.

“I am proud of what we were able to achieve to make our state a better place including things such as record employment, Adelaide being recognised as the third most liveable city in the world and establishing South Australia as our nation’s space and defence state.”

Liberal HQ

Mr Marshall announced the day after the election that he would not continue as leader of the party, but has officially remained in the role until a successor could be chosen.

“Thank you to my colleagues for their support and the unconditional love of my family,” he said.

“I look forward to the future and watching the Liberal Party progress further under the guidance of a new leader. I am confident the Liberal Party will return to Government in 2026 to achieve the best outcomes for South Australians.

“For now, I am excited to take a step back and spend more time with my children while I continue to represent the people of Dunstan.”

Originally published as David Speirs elected new SA Liberal leader as Steven Marshall breaks silence