Federal MP Luke Gosling charged with breaching bail after alleged assault of NT Administrator David Connolly

Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling has been charged with breaching bail after he was accused of assaulting the Northern Territory Administrator.

The 54-year-old was charged last month with two counts of assault over an alleged incident involving NT Administrator David Connolly.

The alleged assault occurred at the NT Thailand Grand Festival in Darwin on July 18.

The NT administrator performs a similar role to that of a state governor and does not participate in the political process.

Gosling appeared before Darwin Local Court on July 31, when he applied to have his bail conditions varied.

Police allege Gosling breached those conditions on August 14.

He was served with a summons on Tuesday to appear before Darwin Local Court on September 30.

Assault of the NT administrator is a specific offence that carries a maximum of 14 years in prison.

A spokesperson for the administrator’s office previously said the incident was a matter for police.

“Our office will make no further comment,” they said.

Gosling’s lawyer, Marty Aust SC, said his client “denies the allegations in full and will defend them completely”.

He also said it was a concern that Gosling was arrested at his home, with Aust saying it should have instead proceeded as a notice to appear or a summons.

The lawyer said police powers of arrest should be a last resort where there were concerns about the ”politicisation” of a matter.

Gosling spent 13 years in the Australian Army before moving to Timor-Leste where he spent several years leading humanitarian and tourism projects before turning to politics.