Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling has been charged with breaching bail conditions after allegedly attending a cricket match. Gosling is accused of violating his bail on August 14 while watching day two of the First Test between Australia and Bangladesh in Darwin.
The MP was initially arrested on July 30, following an alleged assault on NT administrator David Connolly at a Thai cultural festival in Darwin on July 18. Gosling, a former soldier and the government's special envoy for defence, veterans affairs and northern Australia, has denied the assault allegations and intends to contest them in court.
Northern Territory Police confirmed Gosling was charged with one count of breach of bail and is scheduled to appear in Darwin Local Court on September 30. The charges have led to political debate, with the opposition calling for the Prime Minister to take action and for Gosling to be removed from his special envoy role. Opposition member Angus Taylor stated that Gosling should be stood down immediately, arguing that the breach of bail strengthens the case for the Prime Minister to act.
Gosling's bail conditions include a ban from going within 50 metres of the NT's Government House building and a requirement to provide 48 hours' notice to the administrator's office before attending any event where he and Mr. Connolly might be present. If they are at the same event, Gosling must remain at least 15 metres away from Mr. Connolly.