Luke Gosling faces growing calls to stand down after assault charges

Luke Gosling, the Labor Member for Solomon, is facing mounting pressure to resign from his special envoy role following charges of assault. The charges, related to an alleged incident with Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly at the NT Grand Thai Festival on July 18, have cast a shadow over his political future.

“

No-one should be serving in a ministerial or quasi-ministerial role while facing charges like those.

Gosling has been bailed to appear in Darwin Local Court on September 1 and has vehemently denied the allegations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has adopted a cautious stance, deeming it inappropriate to comment while the legal proceedings are underway. However, this has not deterred calls for Gosling to step down from his quasi-ministerial position.

Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson urged Albanese to stand Gosling down as special envoy for defence, veterans' affairs and northern Australia. "No-one should be serving in a ministerial or quasi-ministerial role while facing charges like those," Paterson stated, emphasizing that while Gosling is entitled to the presumption of innocence, he should step aside during the investigation.

“

I make no judgement about Luke Gosling's guilt or innocence; he is entitled to the presumption of innocence, we should allow the legal process to follow, but in the meantime, he should stand down from that role.

NT Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price echoed these sentiments, calling the arrest "troubling" and urging the Prime Minister to act. "Given the seriousness of the allegations, the prime minister should stand Mr Gosling aside from his special envoy responsibilities while the matter is investigated," Price said.

“

It is troubling that one of our community's elected leaders has been arrested in relation to an alleged assault on the king's representative in the territory.

Gosling, a military veteran and the member for Solomon for the past decade, has maintained his innocence. His lawyer, Marty Aust SC, stated that his client denies any wrongdoing and will vigorously contest the charges. Gosling himself posted on Instagram, acknowledging the situation but affirming his focus on his job and "building a stronger Territory and better nation for all of us."

“

Given the seriousness of the allegations, the prime minister should stand Mr Gosling aside from his special envoy responsibilities while the matter is investigated.