Mr Gosling allegedly elbowed and intentionally bumped into NT Administrator David Connolly <\/a>at a community Thai festival in Darwin on July 18.<\/p>\nMr Gosling appeared before the Darwin Local Court on July 31 where he applied to vary his bail conditions.<\/p>\n
It was alleged Mr Gosling breached those bail conditions on August 14, and on Tuesday he was served with a summons to appear in court on September 30.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday morning Mr Gosling released a statement to confirm he would stand down as special envoy, having resisted calls to do so when the original charges were laid.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am grateful to everyone that has reached out to me, my family and my office with messages of support,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI categorically deny all the allegations made against me.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, 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\u2019 affairs and northern Australia until these matters have been heard. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am more committed than ever to my role serving the people of Darwin and Palmerston.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will rigorously defend myself against these charges in court.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under NT law assaulting an Administrator is a more serious offence than common assault, carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years behind bars.<\/p>\n
Mr Gosling\u2019s bail conditions included orders not to approach or communicate with Mr Connolly and not to go within 50m of Government House or the Administrator\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
He was also required to give at least 48 hours notice if attending a public event where the Administrator may be present.<\/p>\n
If at the same event, Mr Gosling was forbidden from communicating with Mr Connolly or remaining within 15m of him. <\/p>\n
Mr Gosling and Mr Connolly both attended the international Test cricket match in Darwin on the date of the alleged breach, but it is unclear if that is where the alleged offence occurred.<\/p>\n
A spokeswoman said the MP was unaware of \u201cthe nature\u201d of the alleged breach and that Mr Gosling and Mr Connolly did not attend \u201cevents at the same time\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeither Mr Gosling or 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn Friday, August 14, Mr Gosling did not attend any events at the same time as the Administrator.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Tuesday evening the Opposition renewed calls for the Prime Minister to take action against Mr Gosling, saying the fresh charge strengthened the case for Mr Gosling to be stood down.<\/p>\n
Special envoys help to represent and advise the government but carry no executive decision-making power or extra salary.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen these serious charges were first laid, we said this was a test of the Prime Minister\u2019s leadership and Luke Gosling should be stood down from his special envoy role while the matter is dealt with,\u201d Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow Mr Gosling has also been charged with allegedly breaching his bail, the case for the Prime Minister to act is even stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThese allegations are matters for the courts, but Anthony Albanese has a decision to make about who serves in his government. He should stand Mr Gosling down today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson also repeated calls for the Prime Minister to stand down Mr Gosling from his Special Envoy roles until the court case was resolved.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnthony Albanese\u2019s judgement has been exposed again,\u201d Mr Paterson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe should have immediately stood Luke Gosling aside as a special envoy when he was first charged with assault. Now police allege Mr Gosling has breached bail. Surely this is enough for the Prime Minister to admit he got it wrong and immediately stand down his special envoy until this matter is resolved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Albanese was contacted for comment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Federal MP Luke Gosling has bowed to pressure and stood down from his special envoy roles after 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