David Speirs breaks silence over video
Former Opposition leader David Speirs has made his first public statement since publication of a video which appeared to show him snorting powder from a plate.
A video published by The Advertiser on Monday night appeared to show Speirs sniffing powder from a plate inside a kitchen. The paper said the video was taken early on June 30 this year when Speirs was still leader of the Liberal Party.
Speirs told The Advertiser over the weekend that he believed the video was “a deep fake or elaborate hoax”.
The former leader was absent from parliament on Tuesday.
In a statement released a short time ago, Speirs said he is now on medical leave and has “engaged legal counsel to assist me to navigate this difficult matter”.
“The last few days have been exceptionally distressing for me and my loved ones,” he said.
“This comes on top of a long period in the public eye, including four years as a minister and two as Leader of the Opposition.
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“I left the leadership of the party as I had run out of energy and the feeling of burnout has been compounded in recent days.
“As a consequence, my emotional health and wellbeing has been significantly impacted, leaving me feeling exceptionally vulnerable and at risk.
“I have always put South Australians first, but now I must take some time to focus on my own health and wellbeing as any other person should.
“I have consulted with medical professionals in the last 24-hours and have been advised that I should take time away from work to concentrate on my health.
“I intend to follow that advice and am now on medical leave, but will be regularly consulting medical professionals.
“I am deeply grateful for the overwhelming support that I have received from parliamentary colleagues, from Liberal Party members, and from my community.
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“I do not plan to make any further statements regarding this matter and I have engaged legal counsel to assist me to navigate this difficult matter.”
It comes after the Malinauskas Labor Government said this morning that it would not grant Speirs a parliamentary pair, a parliamentary convention whereby a government MP is absent from the chamber when votes take place to compensate for the absence of an MP from the other party.
"The Government has not and will not issue Mr Speirs a pair to miss Parliament. Why? As is his right he maintains his innocence & claims he’s done nothing wrong and that he is the victim of a fraud. Therefore there is no reason for him to miss Parliament."
"— Tom Koutsantonis MP (@TKoutsantonisMP) September 10, 2024"
Speaking before Speirs released his statement, Manager of Government Business Tom Koutsantonis said: “I’m not sure what the reason is for Mr Speirs not being here (parliament).
“Politicians get bad headlines – that’s the business we’re in. It’s not a reason to not be in,” he told reporters.
But asked if the government’s position would change if Speirs said he was taking a mental health or sick day, Koutsantonis said: “That would be different, but we’re not hearing that.”
On Tuesday, new Opposition leader Vincent Tarzia, who replaced Speirs in a ballot last month, urged Speirs to refer the video to the appropriate authorities if he believed it was fake.
Today, Opposition transport spokesperson Ben Hood said the Liberal Party supported Speirs taking some time out.
“There is a person behind this. Imagine having your face splashed up on papers everywhere, the radio talking about this issue,” he told ABC Radio Adelaide.
“We’re supporting David’s request to take some time out. His health, his wellbeing, that is our concern at the time.
“David, quite understandably, needs some time to process this. Vincent, our leader, has offered our party’s support and Vincent and other colleagues in the Opposition have urged David to report this matter to authorities if it is fake.”
Asked if Speirs should consider resigning his seat for a by-election, Hood said: “That is up to David… that is a huge decision for anyone to make.
“That really has to sit with him. I know David’s got some great people around him at the moment, and what he needs to consider about his future is up to him.”
