Former South Australian opposition leader David Speirs has pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying or administering a controlled drug, excluding cannabis, to another person.
The offences occurred between August 1 and 10, 2024, in Kingston Park, coinciding with his resignation from the Liberal leadership on August 8.
Speirs appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday, where his defence counsel informed Magistrate Brian Nitschke that an agreement had been reached with prosecutors to resolve the matter within the magistrates’ court. The court scheduled a one-hour session for sentencing submissions on April 11 to allow for a comprehensive review of the case materials.
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Outside the courthouse, Speirs expressed his desire to conclude the proceedings promptly.
“For me, this is about bringing the matter to a conclusion as quickly as possible,” he stated. “That’s the best thing for me on a personal level, and that’s why I’m taking this approach. I am focused on moving through this process as quickly as possible.”
He declined to provide further comments.
The charges against Speirs emerged following his arrest in September 2024 in Berri, located in South Australia’s Riverland region. This arrest followed the publication of a video by News Corp, purportedly showing Speirs snorting from a plate. Initially, Speirs labeled the footage a “deepfake” and vowed to clear his name.
In October 2024, Speirs announced his resignation from parliament, citing his inability to serve his community effectively while addressing the allegations and prioritising his mental health.
His departure prompted a by-election in his southern Adelaide seat, which was subsequently won by Labor candidate Alex Dighton.
Speirs had a notable political career, serving as the Minister for Environment and Water from March 2018 to March 2022 and leading the South Australian Liberal Party from April 2022 until his resignation in August 2024.
The sentencing submissions are set for April 11, where the court will consider the materials presented before determining the appropriate penalty.