Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling has been charged with two counts of assault on Northern Territory administrator David Connolly in what the politician’s lawyer has suggested is a “politicised” case.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is so far resisting Coalition calls to stand down his Special Envoy for Defence and Veterans, despite making similar demands against Liberal MPs accused of wrong doing when he was Opposition leader.

Northern Territory Police on Thursday arrested the Member for Solomon and charged him over alleged July 18 incident at Darwin’s Thai Grand Festival following investigations that began last week.

“He has now been charged with two counts of assault on the Administrator and was bailed to appear before Darwin Local Court on 1 September,” an NT Police spokesperson said.

The 54-year-old was taken into custody on Thursday morning after Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly made a complaint about the alleged incident at the community festival.

“It is alleged the incident occurred at a public event on Saturday 18 July 2026 involving the 54-year-old and the Administrator of the Northern Territory,” NT police said in a statement.

The former soldier did not speak to reporters after being released from custody in Darwin but in a statement provided to The Nightly, he insisted he was cooperating with police inquiries.

“The Northern Territory Police have released a statement on this matter,” he said. “I am cooperating fully with their inquiries.”

Mr Gosling, who serves as the Albanese government’s Special Envoy for Defence and Veterans since 2024, is being represented by barrister Marty Aust, who was seen arriving at Palmerston Watchhouse about 10.15am on Thursday.

“There’s a real concern that there’s a degree of politicisation in relation to how this matter’s being handled already,” Mr Aust said according to the NT News.

“What I can say is that the charge is completely and utterly denied and will be contested.”

Shortly after details of the incident emerged last week Mr Gosling responded with a written statement emphatically denying Mr Connolly’s accusation.

“These are ridiculous allegations that I categorically deny,” the Labor MP said on July 21.

“I’ve had no dealings with the Administrator since congratulating him following the announcement of his appointment late last year.”

According to the NT Criminal Code, anyone found guilty of an assault on the NT administrator while “he is engaged in the discharge of his official functions” can face a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.

Under section 44 of Australia’s Constitution, a federal MP may be disqualified if convicted and under sentence, or subject to be sentenced, for an offence punishable by at least one year’s imprisonment.

Shadow defence minister James Paterson described the allegations facing the government’s Special Envoy as “incredibly serious”.“While everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence, an arrest for assault requires him to immediately stand down from his duties. The PM must act today,” Senator Paterson said.

Last year Mr Gosling retained his Darwin-based seat of Solomon by just over 1500 votes following a more than 7 percent swing to Country Liberal Party candidate Lisa Bayliss.

A spokesperson from the Prime Minister’s Office said the department would not be providing any further comment while an investigation is underway.

“There is a legal process underway. It would be inappropriate to comment further,” the spokesperson said.

When leader of the Opposition in 2021, Anthony Albanese publicly demanded former Liberal MP Andrew Laming resign from Parliament over allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

During the same year the Labor leader repeatedly questioned Liberal MP Christian Porter’s position as Attorney-General following the emergence of historical rape allegations which he strongly denied and for which he was never charged.

This month’s alleged confrontation in Darwin comes after Mr Gosling earlier this year described Mr Connolly’s appointment to the $376,640 per year role of NT Administrator by Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro as a “disgrace”.

“The Administrator holds an important position in the Northern Territory and that’s what makes this such a bad decision,” Mr Gosling said in February.

“A really, bad decision because there’s been a deliberate decision by the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory to go with an exclusionary individual rather than an inclusionary person that would have brought Territorians together and represented all Territorians.”

The comments followed revelations about Mr Connolly’s past social media posts where he’d voiced controversial personal views on topics ranging from COVID vaccines to Welcome To Country ceremonies and women in sport.

In February Governor-General Sam Mostyn said she was pleased the former head of the NT Cattlemen’s Association had given a “full apology” for his past comments, when she travelled to Darwin for his formal swearing-in ceremony at Parliament House.

Mr Connolly’s controversial appointment as the NT Administrator was announced in late 2025 by Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, who has stood firmly by her choice ever since.

The alleged altercation involving Mr Gosling has emerged a month after revelations that fellow Albanese government MP Josh Wilson was suspended for punching a soccer opponent in the face during an amateur match in Perth.