Former Liberal leader accused of using privileged information to send fundraising emails

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Former Liberal Leader David Speirs has been accused of using privileged information to send bulk emails to his former constituents, seeking support for fundraising efforts for men’s mental health. The state government says a complaint has been made, but Mr Speirs has denied misusing any data and described the complaint about him as political muckraking.

Transcript

00:00The former Liberal leader has been embroiled in drama since he stepped down from the top

00:07role a year ago, the now convicted drug supplier, ramping up training to walk the Kokoda Trail.

00:14It's to raise awareness and support men across Australia who are struggling.

00:19But a complaint to the state's privacy committee has been made about emails he's sent,

00:25seeking fundraising support for this walk.

00:28Spears says the mailing list was personally put together when he was a local councillor or MP

00:33and he didn't believe he'd misused it.

00:36Hopefully I can use that information to do a bit of good and raise awareness

00:40and equally there is lots of opportunity for people to unsubscribe from that.

00:45And the idea that Mr Spears thinks he can just take information with him

00:49and have some unsubscribe clause in his email gets him out of jail free, that's just ridiculous.

00:55This complaint has surfaced as there's been increasing conjecture about whether Spears

00:59could make a return to politics, standing as an independent at next year's state election.

01:06His former southern suburb seat of black has been hit hard by the ongoing Algal Bloom

01:11and Spears is known for his support of the environment and community.

01:16The Liberal Party has distanced itself from Spears.

01:19David Spears is a private citizen, he's not a member of the Liberal Party and he hasn't for some time.

01:24But Spears has ruled out a return for now, saying he doesn't have the resilience or strength needed.

01:30I loved being an MP, I loved my community, I still have a lot of support,

01:34but that's not front of mind at the moment.

01:36For now, I'll wait and see on his next steps.

01:39I'll wait and see on his next steps.

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