Labor’s Luke Gosling has stood down from parliament pending the resolution of allegations of assault and breach of bail against him. Photo: ADF.
Federal Labor MP for Solomon Luke Gosling has stood down as Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans’ Affairs and Northern Australia after being charged with breaching bail conditions related to an assault charge.
Mr Gosling was charged in late July with two counts of assault over an alleged incident involving Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly at the NT Thailand Grand Festival in Darwin on 18 July. The NT Administrator is the Crown’s representative in the Top End, equivalent to a State Governor.
In a 21 July statement, a spokesman for Mr Connolly said “an incident occurred during His Honour the Administrator’s official attendance at a community event over the weekend. The matter has been referred to the Northern Territory Police Force”.
Despite both men attending the community event, Mr Gosling has denied the allegations, saying on 22 July, “I’ve had no dealings with the Administrator since congratulating him following the announcement of his appointment late last year.”
The court heard the two alleged assaults occurred about half an hour apart. While the circumstances of the first charge are unclear, the second allegedly involved a hip-and-shoulder collision between the two in which Mr Gosling elbowed Mr Connolly in the ribs.
As part of his bail conditions, Mr Gosling was required to stay 50 metres away from Government House in Darwin, to give Mr Connolly’s office 48 hours’ notice before attending any event where both men would be present, and to stay 15 metres away from Mr Connolly if attending the same event.
But NT Police released a statement on 25 August claiming Mr Gosling breached the bail conditions on 14 August.
“Today he was served with a summons to appear in Darwin Local Court on 30 September 2026,” the statement reads.
A spokesperson for Mr Gosling said, “On Friday August 14 Mr Gosling did not attend any events at the same time as the Administrator. Neither Mr Gosling nor his office have been made aware of the nature of the alleged breach and have been provided no information from police other than a summons.”
Mr Gosling said he was grateful for the messages of support he and his family had received, that he “categorically denies” all allegations against him, and said he would rigorously defend himself in court.
“However, due to the ongoing media attention and the distraction this is causing to the business of government, I have decided to temporarily stand aside as Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans’ Affairs and Northern Australia until these matters have been heard,” he said in a 26 August statement on social media.
“I am more committed than ever to my role serving the people of Darwin and Palmerston.”
There has been no statement or comment from Mr Connolly’s office about the alleged breach of bail.
Mr Gosling’s decision to stand down follows urging from Opposition members including Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson, and NT Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to suspend Mr Gosling pending the matter being settled.
“Now Mr Gosling has also been charged with allegedly breaching his bail, the case for the Prime Minister to act is even stronger,” Mr Taylor said on 25 August.
Apart from Mr Gosling’s portfolio duties, he served on the Standing Committee for Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources from 2016 to 2019, the Joint Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade from 2022 to 2023, the Joint Select Committee for Northern Australia from 2022 to 2025 and the Joint Statutory Committee for Intelligence and Security from 2023 to 2025.
Prior to entering parliament as the Member for the NT seat of Solomon in 2016, Mr Gosling served in the Australian Army from 1993 to 2008. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit (Timor-Leste), and received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2006.
