Labor’s Defence Minister Richard Marles has been caught in the crossfire as he’s forced to provide cover for two junior ministers battling two major scandals under his watch.
Mr Marles’ junior ministers — Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh and Special Defence Envoy Luke Gosling — have both faced calls for their dismissal.
Mr Keogh refused to meet with representatives from the veterans’ community and has been accused of treating them with disrespect when the meeting finally took place.
At the same time, Special Defence Envoy Luke Gosling has been charged with two counts of assault in the Northern Territory.
Meanwhile, sources have told News24.com.au that Mr Marles will stand by both men despite growing calls for them to be stood down.
The high-profile controversies have raised questions over whether Mr Marles has exercised enough oversight of those serving under him.
Meanwhile, News24.com.au was told other senior ministers, like Health Minister Mark Butler or Education Minister Jason Clare, are far more engaged with those working under them.
Shadow communications minister Sarah Henderson told News24.com.au that Mr Marles had “plenty of problems” to deal with at the moment.
She added that both Mr Keogh and Mr Gosling should be removed from their ministerial and envoy positions.
“The minister’s (Mr Keogh) got to go, but the way he spoke to these veterans when he did meet with them… didn’t shake their hand, crossed his arms, was arrogant, offhand,” she said.
“The prime minister should do the right thing, not only stand him down or move him out of the portfolio because he doesn’t seem to have the right character to do this job.”
“As for Luke Gosling also sitting in that job, that’s a complete joke. He’s facing assault charges, and he also needs to be strewed down as well.”
Keogh’s veterans’ crisis
Mr Keogh’s troubles have been building around the government’s decision to introduce a $5,000 annual cap for allied health treatment for veterans from July 1, 2027.
The government argues the threshold will improve the sustainability of the system, increase payments to allied health providers and ensure treatment is clinically required.
It says there will be a mechanism for additional funding where there is a valid clinical need.
But veterans’ advocates have warned that the policy could make access to ongoing treatment more difficult, particularly for people with complex and chronic conditions.
The crisis intensified when Mr Keogh initially declined to meet the Coalition of Veterans’ Voices that had travelled to Canberra on Monday to raise their concerns.
Under pressure, he subsequently agreed to meet the group, claiming he was forced to skip a meeting with Governor-General Sam Mostyn in order to do so.
Veterans then revealed after the meeting that Mr Keogh had rolled his eyes, slouched in his chair and in general did not show a desire to consult with those in his care.
Former pilot Dr Tim Nelson alleged the minister walked into the room, refused to shake hands, sat with his arms crossed and rolled his eyes.
Mr Keogh has denied those allegations and said he shook the hands of those who attended at the conclusion of the meeting.
Former Navy diver John Armfield gave another account, saying Mr Keogh was slouched in his seat and questioned his demeanour throughout the meeting.
The veterans also said the minister made clear he was unhappy to be there, with Mr Keogh reportedly referring to a clash with an event involving Ms Mostyn.
The controversy forced Mr Keogh into a mea culpa in parliament, where he acknowledged he had “got it wrong” by initially failing to make time to meet the veterans.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has publicly maintained confidence in his minister, despite calls for his removal from the veterans’ community and Coalition MPs.
Luke Gosling’s criminal charges
Then there is Labor MP for Solomon and Special Envoy for Defence and Veterans’ Affairs Luke Gosling.
Mr Gosling has been charged with two counts of assault following an incident involving NT Administrator David Connolly at the NT Grand Thai Festival on July 18.
Mr Gosling has denied wrongdoing and has said he will contest the allegations while remaining in his role.
Despite the charges, Mr Albanese has declined to remove Mr Gosling from his position as a special envoy—which is technically not a ministerial role.
However, while opposition leader, Mr Albanese repeatedly demanded that Coalition MPs stand aside over various allegations or investigations.
In each case, none of the allegations resulted in any criminal charges or findings of wrongdoing.
Now, with a Labor MP facing assault charges and another accused of failing the confidence of the veterans’ community, Mr Albanese and Mr Marles have chosen to stand by both.