Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has refused to answer questions about the future of Solomon MP Luke Gosling after he was charged with assaulting the Northern Territory Administrator.
Calls are growing for Mr Solomon to be removed as special envoy for defence, veterans’ affairs and northern Australia after he was arrested on Thursday and charged with two counts of assault.
Police allege Mr Gosling assaulted NT Administrator David Connolly while the pair were attending a public event in Darwin on July 18.
Mr Gosling has not entered any pleas and is due before court on September 1.
Asked whether the NT MP was going to continue as special envoy, Ms Rowland told the ABC she was aware of the charges.
Solomon MP Luke Gosling was arrested on Thursday and charged with two counts of assault. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire
“However, I know you will appreciate that as Attorney-General, I’m limited in what I can say, considering this matter is currently before the courts,” she said.
“So, I am applying the same principle that I apply to every other matter that I’m asked about, which is that I cannot comment on specific details or provide commentary around that.”
Pressed on the question, Ms Rowland said she was “happy to answer factual questions if you wish to pose them”.
Ms Rowland also said she had not seen Mr Gosling.
On Thursday, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s office said a legal process was under way and it “would be inappropriate to comment further”.
In a post to his social media account, Mr Gosling said it had been “a strange morning”, and he would continue to serve the people of Darwin and Palmerston.
Calls to step aside
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie, who has called on Anthony Albanese to remove Mr Gosling as special envoy, denied doing so would indicate any guilt.
“We’ve seen previous ministers, members of parliament stood down from their official duties until allegations are tested in court – and, once their name has been cleared, they’ve been reinstated,” Senator McKenzie told Sky News.
She said there was “room for the Prime Minister to do the right thing”, noting Mr Gosling’s social media post did not refer to his work as special envoy, only as a local MP.
“Part of the integrity of our democratic system – part of the reason Australians can trust their government – is that when matters like this arise, prime ministers and MPs do the right thing, go through the appropriate process, and if their name is cleared, then obviously return to duties,” she said.
“That’s an important part of the integrity of the system.”
Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has called on Anthony Albanese to remove Mr Gosling as special envoy. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa-Price and opposition defence spokesman James Paterson both called for Mr Gosling to step aside on Thursday.
“Given the seriousness of the allegations, the Prime Minister should stand Mr Gosling aside from his special envoy responsibilities while the matter is investigated,” Senator Nampijinpa-Price said.
Mr Gosling’s lawyer Marty Aust said it was “particularly concerning that in a matter of this type, police resorted to the power of arrest where it could easily have been dealt with on notice here or a summons”.
“It’s a concern that might have some political basis behind it,” Mr Aust said.
“The charge is fully and completely contested, but we’re unable to comment any further other than to say we are assisting police with their investigations and will co-operate fully.”
Mr Gosling is a former army commando and acts as the country’s special envoy for defence and veterans’ affairs.
