Former SA Liberal leader David Speirs vows to ‘contribute to the state’ after cocaine ‘catch-ups’ at his home

Former South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs has made a vow outside court after it was revealed he planned to supply cocaine at “catch-ups” with friends.

Former South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs has vowed to “contribute to the state” after he snorted cocaine and supplied the drug to friends to alleviate the stress of his high-level job in politics, a court has been told.

Speirs, 40, fronted Adelaide Magistrates Court for sentencing submissions on Friday, where fresh details emerged into the shock offending that intersected with his final days as state opposition leader.

Last month, Mr Speirs pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying a controlled drug other than cannabis on two occasions in August 2024.

On Friday, the court was told Speirs had messaged two friends via social media and informed them cocaine would be available at “catch-ups” at his Kingston Park home.

Speirs sat quietly in the dock throughout proceedings, as Director of Public Prosecutions Martin Hinton KC and defence lawyer William Mickan argued before Magistrate Brian Nitschke over an appropriate punishment.

Mr Mickan said his client had started using cocaine to “escape” the stresses of his high-level job as opposition leader to popular Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas.

Mr Mickan argued Speirs’ drug use and supply was “aberrant” behaviour not in keeping with his long record of community and public service and had mushroomed as a result of the mental health impacts from his job.

David Speirs has pleaded guilty to drug supply charges. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Speirs “experienced acute and immense stress as a result of becoming leader in the wake of the (2022) election loss,” Mr Mickan said, and he “felt extreme pressure to keep the (Liberal) party on track.”

“His mental health suffered. He didn’t have a means to deal with it appropriately,” he said.

Mr Mickan said Speirs used cocaine on several occasions as a “maladaptive coping mechanism”.

He had previously exercised and pursued outdoor activities to cope with stress, Mr Mickan said, but had been unable to continue those pursuits after becoming opposition leader.

Speirs’ arrest and subsequent guilty plea follows the circulation of video footage in September last year that appeared to show Speirs snorting a white powder in his home in June last year, and standing next to some white powder arranged in lines.

Speirs had previously denied the veracity of the video, claiming it may be a “deep fake”.

The footage and subsequent arrest and charge sent shockwaves through South Australia’s political circles.

On Friday, Mr Hinton asked Mr Nitschke to impose a conviction on Speirs, arguing his former position as a parliamentarian and former minister warranted stern denunciation from the courts.

“You cannot put yourself up for public office, accept public office, hold public office and then expect you will not be held to the standards that go with public office,” he said.

Mr Hinton said although Speirs’ offending was on the lower end of drug supply offending, he nonetheless had perpetuated drug trafficking.

The people Speirs had supplied cocaine to had used the drug on previous occasions, the court was told.

Mr Mickan said Speirs felt remorse from his actions and was aware of the impact of his offending.

“He feels like he has betrayed his friends and family and the wider community,” Mr Mickan said.

“The fact he has disappoint his parents is a very real reminder of the impact of his offending.”

Speirs led to Liberal Party following the 2022 state election. Picture: NewsWire / Morgan Sette

Mr Mickan also argued Speirs had suffered “extra-curial punishment” because of media attention in the case.

“His reputation has been destroyed and he has been humiliated and embarrassed in a way other people (who have also offended in this way) have not been,” he said.

“The reporting has had a deleterious impact on Mr Speirs’ mental health.”

Mr Hinton, in his reply to the defence’s submissions, refuted the suggestion that the media had destroyed Speirs’ reputation.

“The media didn’t destroy this man’s reputation, with the greatest respect, he did,” Mr Hinton said.

The prosecutor argued a conviction recording against Speirs was “essential”.

Mr Mickan invited Mr Nitschke not to record a conviction against Speirs and consider instead a good behaviour bond.

The maximum penalty for the offence is a $50,000 fine or a 10-year jail term. Mr Nitschke will deliver his sentence on April 24.

Speaking outside the court on Friday, Speirs said he was focused on “making amends” and “working through this process”.

“I have made mistakes in my life,” he said.

“I will look for ways, hopefully multiple ways in the coming weeks and months and years to continue to contribute to the state. That’s in my DNA.”

Mr Speirs, who speaks with a Scottish accent and immigrated to Australia as a teenager, resigned from parliament in the wake of the video.

Vincent Tarzia was elected to replace Mr Speirs as Liberal leader.

Originally published as Former SA Liberal leader David Speirs vows to ‘contribute to the state’ after cocaine ‘catch-ups’ at his home