Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling has temporarily stepped down from his role as special envoy for Defence, Veterans' Affairs and Northern Australia following new charges of breaching bail conditions. The charges are linked to an earlier incident in July where Gosling was accused of assaulting Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly.
Gosling, 54, was initially charged in July with assault. On Tuesday, he was also charged with one count of breach of bail, which police allege occurred on August 14. He is scheduled to appear in Darwin Local Court on September 30.
In a statement released Wednesday, Gosling denied all allegations and stated his intention to fight the charges. He explained his decision to stand aside was to prevent the ongoing media attention from becoming a distraction to the government's business. He affirmed his commitment to serving his constituents in Darwin and Palmerston.
The original assault allegation reportedly took place on July 18 at the NT Thailand Grand Festival in Darwin. Gosling's bail conditions stipulated he must not come within 50 meters of Government House and needed to provide Connolly's office with 48 hours' notice before attending any event where the Administrator might be present. If both were to attend the same event, Gosling was required to remain at least 15 meters away from Connolly.
The breach of bail charge is understood to stem from Gosling's attendance at the Australia-Bangladesh Test match at Darwin's Marrara Stadium earlier in August. Both Connolly and Gosling were present at the event. Gosling later posted photos from the grandstand while Connolly was reportedly in the stadium's corporate hospitality area.
The situation has drawn criticism from opposition parties. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor called for Gosling to be stood down, emphasizing the need for leadership to act given the new charge. One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce also suggested Gosling should step down. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro stated that while the presumption of innocence is important, the allegations, if true, do not meet community expectations for elected officials.
Gosling's lawyer had previously questioned the police's decision to arrest the politician at his home rather than issue a summons.