![\"News24](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/e417981a4796b5c4ad9177fc8ebdd13b.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nA Labor MP has called on his colleagues to hold themselves to \u201chigh standards\u201d as Special Defence Envoy Luke Gosling faces two assault charges.<\/p>\n
It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese refuses to stand Mr Gosling down from his role ahead of his court appearance on September 30.<\/p>\n
Labor MP Josh Burns told News24.com.au that it was a \u201cfair question\u201d to ask whether the government has a \u201cstandards problem\u201d while Mr Gosling remains in his role.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I think that’s a fair question, although I don’t have all of the details of what’s occurred here,\u201d Mr Burns told Sunday Agenda.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we have to hold ourselves to high standards. I think people also need to have the presumption of innocence and that there needs to be a fair process.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Gosling has been charged with two counts of assault over an alleged incident involving Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly at a public event in Darwin.<\/p>\n
Mr Burns said the allegations were serious and that Mr Gosling took the matter \u201cvery personally and seriously\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll wait and see what that investigation comes to, but otherwise it’s up to all of us to hold ourselves to an extremely high standard,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The comments come after senior Labor Minister Mark Butler previously acknowledged that Mr Gosling would have been expected to stand aside had he been a minister.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, as you know, if he were a minister, he would be required to stand aside,\u201d Mr Butler earlier told Sunday Agenda.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the special envoy has a very different position. It doesn’t have extra salary\u2026 it doesn’t have executive authority.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Butler defended the decision to allow Mr Gosling to remain in the position, arguing the special envoy role carried no executive authority or decision-making power.<\/p>\n
The government has continued to point to the presumption of innocence as Mr Gosling faces the criminal proceedings.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The issue has become another pressure point for Defence Minister Richard Marles, who is also facing criticism over Veterans\u2019 Affairs Minister Matt Keogh\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The government argues the threshold will improve the sustainability of the system, increase payments to allied health providers and ensure treatment is clinically required.<\/p>\n
It says there will be a mechanism for additional funding where there is a valid clinical need.<\/p>\n
But veterans’ advocates have warned that the policy could make access to ongoing treatment more difficult, particularly for people with complex and chronic conditions.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mr Keogh has denied those allegations and said he shook the hands of those who attended at the conclusion of the meeting.<\/p>\n
![\"\u2018He](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/63685a6e540edad0ddcdf93f171bb694.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Former Navy diver John Armfield gave another account, saying Mr Keogh was slouched in his seat and questioned his demeanour throughout the meeting.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has publicly maintained confidence in his minister, despite calls for his removal from the veterans\u2019 community and Coalition MPs.<\/p>\n
Read related topics:Labor Under Fire<\/a>Luke Gosling<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A Labor MP has called on his colleagues to hold themselves to \u201chigh standards\u201d as Special Defence 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