An ex-state Liberal leader repeatedly used cocaine with friends as a “means of escapism” to cope with the stressors of his job, a court has been told.
The ex-opposition chief, who resigned from parliament in October 2024, sat still in the defendant’s area with his hands folded in his lap throughout the 85-minute court session.
“He feels like he’s betrayed his friends and family as well as the wider public. And he’s had to explain to his parents his conduct,” he said.
Speirs had voluntarily submitted to drug tests which returned negative results and his prospects for rehabilitation were good, Mr Mickan said.
He asked a fine or good behaviour bond be imposed and that no conviction be recorded. But Mr Hinton sought a conviction against Speirs and a “significant” fine.
Mr Nitschke noted he had seen media where Speirs had been the butt of “what might be said to be humour”.
“That would be humiliating for a person who has, over the years, built up a reputation and put everything into the community,” he said.
The very nature of Speirs’ position as opposition leader was the basis for extra curial punishment, Mr Mickan said.
“I say that Your Honour can take into account that there has been extensive reporting and that has destroyed his reputation,” he said.
But Mr Hinton said: “The media did not destroy this man’s reputation, he did.”
Speirs will be sentenced on April 24.
