Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling has been charged over an alleged assault on the Northern Territory’s administrator earlier this month, NT police said on Thursday.
Alleged incident and charges
The Northern Territory police force charged the 54-year-old member for Solomon, Luke Gosling, in relation to an alleged assault on the administrator of the Northern Territory. The incident involving administrator David Connolly, whose role is similar to that of a state governor, is alleged to have occurred at a cultural festival in Darwin on 18 July.
Police arrested Gosling on Thursday morning and later said he had been charged with two counts of assault on the administrator. He was bailed to appear before Darwin local court on 1 September.
Gosling's response
In a statement posted to social media on Thursday afternoon, Gosling said he could not say much because the matter was before the courts, but described it as a strange morning. He said he had a job to do and would be working hard to serve the people of Darwin and Palmerston. He thanked those who reached out with messages of support for him and his family.
Gosling had previously denied having any altercation with Connolly, with NT media reporting he called the claims “ridiculous allegations that I categorically deny”. His lawyer, Marty Aust, said on Thursday the charges were “completely and utterly denied and will be contested”. Aust added it was concerning that police resorted to the power of arrest when they could have dealt with the matter by summons or notice to appear.
Political reactions
A spokesperson for the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, declined to comment, saying there was a legal process under way and it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Liberal senator James Paterson, the shadow minister for defence, called on Albanese to stand Gosling down from his role as special envoy for defence, veterans’ affairs and northern Australia, saying the allegations were incredibly serious and that an arrest for assault required him to immediately stand down. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who represents the NT, called Gosling’s arrest a deeply concerning development and said it would be wrong to prejudge the investigation, urging all parties to cooperate fully with police.
A spokesperson for Connolly said they could not comment as it was a police matter.
