Luke Gosling: Federal Labor MP arrested over alleged assault on NT administrator David Connolly

Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling remains in custody after being arrested this morning following allegations he assaulted the Northern Territory administrator earlier this month.

Police have confirmed the Member for Solomon was taken into custody this morning after Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly made a complaint about an alleged incident which occurred in Darwin on July 18.

“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 Northern Territory Police Force has arrested the 54-year-old federal member for Solomon in relation to an alleged assault on the Administrator of the Northern Territory”.

NT Police say investigations began last week and police arrested the 54-year-old earlier this morning and he “remains in custody”.

In a statement provided to The Nightly, Mr Gosling said he was cooperating with police following his arrest.

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

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.

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.