A South Australian MP has stood down from the shadow road safety portfolio after losing his licence. 

SA Liberal MP Tim Whetstone has given up the portfolio after losing his licence for three months due to demerit points accumulated from speeding offences.

He claims the traffic offences occurred “while working” in his job as a regional MP.

However, Mr Whetstone now has his licence back, and did not Liberal leader David Speirs about his loss of licence until after the suspension was over. 

Speaking this week, Mr Whetstone says he apologises to his constituents, his party leader and “all South Australians”.

“I've paid the penalty for three months' loss of licence, and I did that living 14 kilometres out of town,” he said.

“It's been a significant burden on me, it's also been a burden on my portfolios.

“Losing the road safety portfolio is something that I've taken very seriously.”

He said he regrets keeping Opposition Leader David Speirs in the dark until after he already had his licence back, acknowledging it was “not a good look”.

“It dawned on me that I would let David Speirs know that I had previously lost my licence, and I did that in good faith,” he said.

“I didn't not tell him with any malice.”

Mr Whetstone retains his other shadow portfolios of police and community safety, corrections, and mental health and suicide prevention.