From Liberals’ shining light to supplying drug charges: How David Speirs became unstuck

He was touted as the next Liberal Premier, but instead David Speirs has been sentenced for supplying drugs. Here’s how the disgraced MP became unstuck.

Politicians are known for being slippery with the truth, but no one changed his tune more than David Speirs when it came to how he dealt with accusations of using and supplying drugs.

Today, as the former state Liberal leader faces sentencing, The Advertiser looks at how his story changed – a lot.

He was the man trusted by the Liberal Party to lead it to victory at the next state election.

Youthful, energetic and ready for the fight, David Speirs touted himself as the man to lead South Australia into a new Liberal era.

But it all came crashing down after a video emerged in September 2024 depicting him snorting a line of white powder through a rolled-up $5 note on the kitchen bench of his Kingston Park home.

Fast forward seven months, the 40-year-old has pleaded guilty to drug supply charges – a crime carrying a maximum $50,000 fine of a 10-year jail term.

With the former MP set to be sentenced today, The Advertiser looks back on the many times David Speirs contradicted himself.

The images that started the white powder scandal revealed by The Advertiser.

Answering questions from The Advertiser about the white powder video at his property – September 7, 2024

“That is very strange. No, no way,” Speirs told our reporter.

“No, I certainly did not. That is very troubling.

“No, no way … no, definitely not. I would never have done that. Never, never, never.

“I’m quite horrified by that.

“I’m really troubled by that. I’m very, very sorry about that.”

Speirs strongly disputed the video from the outset.

The disgraced MP vowed to clear his name. Picture: Facebook

Subsequent messages from Speirs to The Advertiser on September 7, 2024

“I strongly dispute the authentic (sic) of such a video … I believe this is a deep fake or elaborate hoax,” he told an Advertiser reporter by text.

Additional statement to The Advertiser on September 8, 2024

“I was overseas for two weeks in June and during that time other persons had access to my home, giving rise to the opportunity for someone to obtain footage of my premises,” Speirs said.

“I am extremely disappointed by this and assure South Australians that I would never take illicit substances. I never have and I never will.”

David Speirs’ resignation video released on October 5, 2024

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

“I’ve not been the best version of myself, I’ve not been the best version of David Speirs and I have spent time with people who did not bring out the best in me, to be quite honest.”

It later transpired that he supplied drugs to two former members of a church youth group. Mr Speirs was a youth leader at the church when the recipients were teenagers.

Speirs pleaded guilty to drug supply charges on March 27. Picture: NewsWire / Dean Martin

Pleading guilty to the drug supply charges – March 27, 2025

But on March 27, this year, Speirs had changed his tune.

Standing in the dock of Adelaide Magistrates Court with his hands folded behind his back, he pleaded guilty to two drug supply charges.

Questioned on whether he supplied a controlled drug to two different people between August 1 and 10, 2024, he replied: “Guilty”.

Speaking outside court to media – March 27, 2025

“For me, this is about bringing the matter to a conclusion as quickly as possible, that’s the best thing for me at a personal level, and that’s why I’m taking this approach,” he said.

“I am focused on moving through this process as quickly as possible and that has influenced the approach that I’m taking.”

His defence during sentencing submissions on April 11, 2025

His lawyers asked the court to spare him of a conviction, arguing Speirs turned to cocaine as “a form of escapism” from declining mental health caused by the “extreme pressure” of taking over the Liberal Party after an election loss.
They also claimed Speirs had resigned “almost immediately” from both parliament and the Liberal Party when the offending came to light, which was demonstrative of his contrition and remorse.

Court documents released on April 14, 2025

According to police documents released by the court, the MP “produced a rock of cocaine, crushed it on the bench top in the kitchen” and “snorted it using a rolled up note” on August 2 in front of the two friends – Peter Zubic and Andrew Sampson.

Mr Zubic told The Advertiser he was 15 when he met Speirs in 2012 at Edwardstown Baptist Church, where Speirs had been a youth leader.

Two days later, Speirs allegedly told Zubic he was “always happy to catch up for a drink and a bag” – allegations he had strongly denied.

But during the hearing, the court heard Speirs no longer disputed the police’s case against him.

Speirs is set to be sentenced on Thursday in the Magistrates Court, where he will face a less severe penalty than if the matter had been heard in the higher courts.

Originally published as From Liberals’ shining light to supplying drug charges: How David Speirs became unstuck