Commonwealth DPP to Take Over Assault Case Against Australian MP Luke Gosling

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is set to take over the case against Federal Labor MP Luke Gosling, who is facing two counts of assault. The Northern Territory DPP says the decision was made to avoid any perceived conflict of interest. Mr Gosling’s case is due to return to court on September 30. The Commonwealth DPP is taking over the case to avoid a perceived conflict of interest within the NT DPP. Mr Gosling, the Member for Solomon since 2016, was charged with allegedly assaulting Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly at the NT Thailand Grand Festival on July 18. The charges include one incident where Mr Gosling allegedly elbowed Mr Connolly. A senior NT Police lawyer prosecuted the initial hearing, which changed Mr Gosling’s bail terms. The NT DPP stated it would not prosecute, referring the matter to another jurisdiction to avoid conflict of interest. The NT DPP and Commonwealth DPP are arranging the takeover. The NT DPP did not elaborate on the conflict. The case returns to court on September 30.