Former SA Liberal leader David Speirs steps down, after drugs charges

South Australia’s former Liberal leader David Speirs will quit parliament after being charged over drugs offences when armed police raided his home.

South Australia’s former Liberal leader David Speirs will quit parliament after being arrested when armed police raided his home after allegations of using illicit substances.

In a video statement released on his social media on Saturday, Mr Speirs, 39, said the raid came in the wake of explosive footage appearing to show him snorting white powder.

Mr Speirs said he believes there was someone “sinister” behind the footage and pledged to fight to clear his name of any allegations.

“Since allegations of illicit substance use in my home became public, my home has been raided by armed police, and I was arrested and I was questioned,” Mr Speirs said.

“I believe there’s someone pretty sinister behind this, and while I am personally devastated by what has happened, and I will fight to clear my name of any allegations.”

He will formally resign as the MP for the southwestern Adelaide seat of Black when parliament resumed on October 15.

The Adelaide Advertiser on Saturday revealed Mr Speirs’ neighbours allegedly witnessed three police officers attend his home at 11pm on Thursday, September 26.

SA Police later confirmed the raid, issuing a statement which said he was bailed after being charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance between August 2 and August 9.

“Following this his residential premises was subsequently searched … Mr Speirs was given police bail and will appear in court at a later date,” the police statement said.

The maximum penalty for this offence carries a $50,000 fine and a 10-year prison term.

Former South Australian opposition leader, David Speirs.

Mr Speirs, who made the announcement while sitting under a tree, raised concerns about the state government’s use of power in targeting a political opponent.

“I could continue in parliament and I could defend myself while also working as an MP, but I don’t believe that I can adequately and effectively serve my local community while also dealing with this matter,” he said. “Protecting my mental health and supporting my family and friends who are gathered around me.”

“For me, it’s time to move on.”

SA Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia held a press conference on Saturday afternoon, confirming that he spoke with Mr Speirs around midday.

Mr Tarzia said the Liberal Party state executive met and ratified Mr Speirs’ decision to cancel his membership.

Asked by reporters if he would continue to support Mr Speirs, Mr Tarzia said: “I’m not sure what you mean by support, I mean obviously this is a very challenging situation.

“This is a matter for David, and if it goes through the courts, it’s going to be really hard time for him,” he said.

“I had a conversation with David early this afternoon... I know that this has really taken an effect on his mental health as well.”

“We are focused now on making sure that we pre-select the best candidate that we can for the seat of Black for the coming days and weeks,” he said.

Mr Speirs has been on leave from parliament for mental health reasons since September 11, in the wake of the footage which he said was a deepfake.

At the time, Mr Speirs said the past few days were “exceptionally distressing for me and my loved ones” and followed a long period in the public eye, including four years as a minister and two years as Opposition Leader – a job he quit on August 8.

Mr Speirs was elected in 2014. He was Minister for Environment and Water in the Marshall Liberal government from 2018 to 2022.

After the Liberals lost the state election in March, 2022, he became Opposition Leader on April 19, 2022, holding that role until he quit on August 8, 2024.