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<\/p>\nFederal Labor MP Luke Gosling will stand aside as special envoy for defence, veterans’ affairs and Northern Australia, as he faces charges of assault and breach of bail.<\/p>\n
The member for Solomon was yesterday charged with breaching his bail conditions, less than a month after he was charged with two counts of assault over an alleged incident involving Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly.<\/p>\n
Mr Gosling’s bail conditions banned him from coming within 50 metres of NT Government House and required him to give Mr Connolly’s office 48 hours’ notice before attending any event where both men would be present.<\/p>\n
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Luke Gosling says he has decided to step aside from his special envoy role due to the distraction it is causing the government. (ABC News: Matilda Colling)<\/p>\n
If the two attend the same event, Mr Gosling was required to stay 15 metres away from the administrator at all times.<\/p>\n
Mr Gosling has categorically denied all allegations against him and said he would rigorously defend himself in court.<\/p>\n
“However, 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’ Affairs and Northern Australia until these matters have been heard,” he said in a statement.<\/p>\n
“I am more committed than ever to my role serving the people of Darwin and Palmerston.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
The NT administrator’s office refused to comment after police announced the breach of bail charge, saying it was a matter for police.<\/p>\n
The administrator is the Crown’s representative in the NT, a vice-regal role equivalent to a state governor.<\/p>\n
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David Connolly was sworn into the role of NT administrator in February. (ABC News: Marcus Kennedy)<\/p>\n
The federal member’s decision to step aside follows weeks of mounting pressure from opposition members, including from Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson and NT senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, to step down.<\/p>\n
After hearing yesterday of Mr Gosling’s breach of bail charges, federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to stand down the Solomon MP.<\/p>\n
“Now Mr Gosling has also been charged with allegedly breaching his bail, the case for the prime minister to act is even stronger,” he said.<\/p>\n
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Mr Gosling’s decision to step down was the right call.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I believe that’s appropriate and I believe that the most important thing now is that the legal proceedings happen without a running commentary,” he said.<\/p>\n
Gosling has ‘no details’ on breach of bail charge<\/p>\n
In a statement released to media on Tuesday afternoon, NT Police said Mr Gosling allegedly breached his bail conditions on August 14<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Today he was served with a summons to appear in Darwin Local Court on 30 September 2026,” NT Police said.<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Mr Gosling said at the time that no details had been shared by police regarding what the alleged breach was.<\/p>\n