David Speirs, former environment minister, has confirmed that he is running for opposition leader. He said that the SA Liberal Party must apologise to the party for its “very bad” election campaign.
The key points
- David Speirs, former environment minister, will run for Liberal leadership
- The Party will meet after Easter in order to appoint a new leader
- Josh Teague and Nick McBride are also in the running for the role
The Liberal After the overwhelming defeat in March’s election, the party room will meet on Easter to elect its new leadership team.
Speirs, who was widely regarded as the party’s new leader and former premier Steven Marshall’s replacement, has been confirmed today.
“We must apologise for losing government after one-term,” he said to ABC Radio Adelaide’s David Bevan, and Stacey Lee.
Mr Speirs stated he believed that the pandemic had an affect on the government. However he also said that the government lost votes by cancelling Adelaide 500 car race and failing to sell Riverbank Arena’s benefits.
With a swing of 6.5% against him, the MP from the southern suburbs held on to his seat of Black. However, his neighbours, Gibson and Davenport were both lost by Labor with swings in double digits.
Mr Speirs stated that it showed he could connect with voters.
“I’m [public]He stated, “I’m a migrant, I was educated at school, and I’m a Hallett Cove boy.”
“I think I can get outside and connect with the tradies in South Australia, the workers of South Australia. My frontline workers, first responders, and our frontline workers. People who clearly thought we weren’t connecting with them.”
Speirs wants to leave ‘factional baggage’ behind
The South Australian Liberal Party has a long history full of factional divisions. Mr. Spiers wants to show himself as a “fresh face”.
“I am not factionally He stated, “I am not aligned and I’m no part of any dynasty of any kind.”
“I want the factional baggage to go, the baggage from the dynasties that have run this party and the corporate boardrooms to be left behind.”
Mr Speirs did garner He caused controversy last year when he visited an evangelical Christian Church and encouraged parishioners join the party.
It sparked a party inspection of new membership applications.
He stated that the issue was being taken out of context.
“I encourage people from all walks and all faiths to get involved in politics,” said he.
Mr Speirs was also interviewed about his temper and mentioned his Scottish heritage.
When he was a teenager, he emigrated to Australia with his family.
“It was frustrating at times, but it didn’t stop me being a good environment minister or leaving a legacy.
David Speirs, environmentminister, led a push for the ban on single-use plastics and open water reservoirs for recreation.
However, he was criticised for his handling Murray Darling issues, and in particular an agreement with eastern states on environmental flow.
Susan Close, Environment Minister, said that he had “pick up pieces” in the Environment Department from the dud deal he did on Murray when he was Environment Minister.
“I don’t know if I’d be encouraged to vote to someone who was accused of bowing to the eastern interests by a commission.
The MP from the southern suburbs is not the only candidate for the leadership position.
Moderate-aligned Josh Teague and south-east MP Nick McBride will be in the fray. The latter was threatened last year to quit the party.
Senior Liberal sources tell the ABC that Mr Speirs is most likely to win the contest.