South Australia’s opposition leader has suddenly resigned after reflecting on what is best for himself and his family.
David Speirs announced on Thursday that he will step down as leader of the South Australian Liberal Party, a position he has held since 2022.
At the time, the Labor Party led by Peter Malinauskas had emerged victorious in the state election, ousting Liberal Premier Steven Marshall and making way for Speirs to take power.
But after months of pressure from fellow party members who were concerned the Liberals would not succeed in the next election due in 2026, he stepped aside. The advertiser reported.
In a statement, Mr Speirs said that by stepping down he was giving the next Liberal leader “the best possible chance of success” in just over 18 months’ time.
“It has not been an easy decision, but I believe it is the best for me and my family,” he said.
‘I have taken advantage of the mid-winter break to reflect on my priorities and to talk at length with family and friends about my future.
‘Ultimately, I want to spend more quality time with them and the demands of the leadership role make that difficult.’
South Australian state opposition party leader David Speirs (pictured) has resigned
The Liberal politician moved to Australia with his family when he was 17 from Scotland and is “immensely proud” to become leader of the Liberal Party in South Australia (pictured with his mother Mary)
The politician said he would remain as MP for Black but wanted to ensure the new leader had enough time to prepare for the election.
“I look forward to playing my part in supporting the next leader of the Liberal Party to deliver a strong, new alternative government to the people of South Australia,” he said.
Mr Speirs, who first became an MP in 2014, moved to Australia with his parents and two younger brothers from Scotland when he was 17 in 2002.
“Being able to go from being an overseas migrant who settled in the southern suburbs of Adelaide as a teenager to becoming the leader of the South Australian Liberal Party is something I am immensely proud of,” he said.
“And it highlights the incredible opportunities available to all South Australians in this extraordinary state.”
The politician (pictured) decided to resign following mounting pressure from his own party that they would not win the 2026 election with him at the helm.
Speirs’ deputy leader John Gardner is widely seen as a replacement, which would also help the party avoid a vote.
But experts are also showing their support for health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn, who is currently on maternity leave, although it is thought she may not be interested in the leadership role.