Arabic version: سحب تهمة خرق الكفالة بحق لوك غوسلينغ
According to ABC News, prosecutors withdrew a breach of bail charge against federal Labor MP Luke Gosling during a short hearing in Darwin Local Court on October 26. Prosecutor Jo Poole said the single charge was being withdrawn, without providing further details. Gosling continues to face two assault charges involving Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly, allegations he denies.
Gosling, the member for the Darwin-based seat of Solomon, was first charged in July with two counts of assaulting Connolly at the NT Thai Grand Festival in Darwin. The breach allegation was laid on August 25 and related to an alleged breach of bail conditions on August 14.
His bail conditions prohibit him from coming within 50 metres of NT Government House. They also require him to give Connolly’s office 48 hours’ notice before attending an event where the administrator may be present. The administrator is the Crown’s representative in the Northern Territory, in a vice-regal role equivalent to a state governor.
Gosling’s lawyer, Marty Aust SC, described the withdrawal as “only the first step, but a significant one, in the successful defence of all charges”. Aust said Gosling thanked the community for its support, continued to deny all allegations and could not make further comment while the matter remained before the court. Gosling is scheduled to return to court in November for a hearing on the assault charges. After the bail allegation was laid in August, he stepped aside as the federal government’s special envoy for defence, veterans’ affairs and northern Australia.
