Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling, the federal special envoy for defence, veterans’ affairs and northern Australia, was charged with two counts of assault on the Northern Territory administrator, David Connolly, after an alleged incident at the NT Thai Festival in Darwin on July 18. Northern Territory police arrested Gosling on Thursday morning and released him on bail, requiring his appearance at Darwin local court on September 1.
The Incident and Charges
The alleged assault occurred at a cultural festival in Darwin, where Connolly, the administrator—whose position is similar to that of a state governor—was present. Police stated Gosling was charged with two counts of assault on the administrator, a specific offence that carries a maximum jail sentence of 14 years.
Gosling, a former military officer and federal member for Solomon since 2016, has denied the allegations. His lawyer, Marty Aust, called the charges completely and utterly denied and will be contested.
Aust criticized the police for using an arrest rather than a summons, stating, It’s particularly concerning that the police resorted to the power of arrest when they could have dealt with the matter by way of summons or notice to appear.
Political Reactions and Legal Context
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office declined to comment, stating, There is a legal process under way.
It would be inappropriate to comment further.
However, Liberal senator James Paterson, the shadow minister for defence, called for Gosling to be stood down from his envoy role, asserting, “The allegations facing the special envoy for defence and veterans, Luke Gosling, are incredibly serious. While everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence, an arrest for assault requires him to immediately stand down from his duties.”
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a Liberal senator who represents the NT, described the arrest as a deeply concerning development,
urging Gosling to be stood down. It is troubling that one of our community’s elected leaders has been arrested in relation to an alleged assault on the King’s representative in the territory,
she said. Connolly’s office declined to comment, stating it was a police matter.
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