SA Liberal leader David Speirs threatens to quit the party if “bad apples” are elevated in leadership contest following his resignation
Departing Liberal leader David Speirs has taken a swipe at sections of his own party, claiming a couple of "bad apples" spoiled unity during his leadership. He's threatened to quit the party and shift to the cross bench if those people are elevated during next week's leadership contest.
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00:00An outgoing leader going out with a bang.
00:05There were only a couple of people in that party room that weren't fully behind me.
00:11One or two bad apples spoiled the whole barrel.
00:13That old history of the Liberal Party, at war with itself, I didn't want to be part
00:19of that.
00:20David Spears not holding back a day on from his decision to quit as opposition leader,
00:25bringing an end to his two-year tenure and efforts to rebuild after the 2022 state election
00:31defeat.
00:32Some people just couldn't wait for that plan to unfold effectively and undermine.
00:38While not naming names, he's warned if the colleagues he believes were undermining him
00:42are rewarded with senior positions when MPs meet on Monday to settle a new leadership
00:46team, he could leave the party room altogether.
00:49What, you'll go to the crossbench?
00:51I would find it difficult to remain in the Liberal Party.
00:55I am not making that as an idle threat.
00:58Three likely contenders have emerged to succeed Mr Spears, Vincent Tarzia, Josh Teague and
01:04John Gardiner.
01:05The current deputy the only one who opted to front cameras on Friday.
01:09I think the overwhelming majority of colleagues were very much hoping that David would stay
01:15on.
01:16I think they weren't pushing for him to go.
01:17But it does present someone else an opportunity to lead.
01:21I'm confident that whoever is in that role, the team will come together and unite ahead
01:26of the next election.
01:27The person who does end up as David Spears' replacement will have a huge job ahead of
01:33them and a limited amount of time to do it.
01:36In little more than 18 months they'll have to develop, then articulate an alternate vision
01:40for South Australia before the people return to the polls.