Election Eligibility Debate for Former SA Liberal Leader David Speirs

Former South Australian Liberal leader David Speirs has indicated a potential pathway to run in the next state election, despite an initial assessment by the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) suggesting his drug supply convictions might render him ineligible.

ECSA's Initial Stance

Last week, ECSA revealed it had deemed Speirs ineligible for public campaign funding, citing that he would not fulfill nomination requirements due to an indictable offence conviction. An ECSA spokesperson stated that a person with such a conviction would be ineligible to nominate and therefore not entitled to funding.

A person with an indictable offence conviction would be ineligible to nominate and therefore not entitled to funding.

Commissioner Sherry's Clarification

However, South Australian Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry later issued a clarification. Sherry stated that ECSA's initial statement was an