Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling is accused of assaulting the Northern Territory’s administrator, David Connolly, at a public event in Darwin in July. Multiple reports say Northern Territory Police arrested Gosling in late July after the alleged incident. He is taken before a court for the first time after being charged with assault. Court proceedings described an alleged physical confrontation involving the administrator during a Darwin cultural festival, including claims he used force such as a hip-and-shoulder and later an elbow.
Following the court appearance, Gosling is subject to restrictions around Government House in Darwin. Reports state he is banned from approaching Government House within a specified distance.
Separately, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is set to take over the matter, according to reporting from ABC Australia. The stated reason is to avoid a perceived conflict of interest involving the Northern Territory Director of Public Prosecutions. Gosling has previously denied the allegations, according to coverage of the arrest.
