Federal Labor member Luke Gosling, who holds the Northern Territory seat of Solomon, has been arrested over an alleged assault on NT Administrator David Connolly.
Author
- Michelle Grattan
Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
NT Police said in an early Thursday statement the alleged incident took place at a public event on Saturday July 18.
"Investigations began last week and police arrested the 54-year-old earlier this morning and he remains in custody," the police statement said.
Gosling is the government's special envoy for defence and veterans affairs; he has held Solomon since 2016. He is a former army commando.
The administrator's office had previously said the alleged incident occurred at Connolly's official residence at a community event. It said it had been referred to the police.
The occasion was a Thai gathering, and both Connolly and Gosling were pictured at it.
When reports of the incident initially appeared, Gosling strongly denied the claims, saying the allegations were "ridiculous". He said he had had no dealings with Connolly "since congratulating him following the announcement of his appointment late last year".
In a new statement, Gosling said he was "cooperating fully with their [NT Police's] inquiries".
Gosling's barrister, Marty Aust, said the charge is "completely and utterly denied and will be contested". He added:
"There's a real concern that there's a degree of politicisation in relation to how this matter's being handled already."
Gosling and federal Labor colleagues from the NT were highly critical of the NT Country Liberal Party government's choice of Connolly, who was accused of offensive and racist comments on social media . He had also been critical of the Albanese government.
The administrator is the equivalent of a state governor.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt, when asked last week about the claims, said: "I have seen that Luke Gosling has strenuously denied these allegations. Luke is a good mate of mine, and he has denied those allegations. We will obviously see what the police have got to say about that now".
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
