Federal politician Luke Gosling has been charged with breaching his bail conditions, less than a month after he was arrested over allegations he assaulted the Northern Territory Administrator.
In July, the Labor MP was charged with two counts of assault over an alleged incident involving NT Administrator David Connolly at a community event held in Darwin earlier that month.
Mr Gosling is the Commonwealth's special envoy for defence and veterans' affairs, and has held the seat of Solomon — which includes Darwin and its satellite city of Palmerston — since 2016.
The administrator is the Crown's representative in the NT, a vice-regal role equivalent to a state governor.
Mr Gosling's bail conditions were varied in Darwin Local Court on July 31, with the federal MP banned from coming within 50 metres of the NT's Government House — where Mr Connolly resides.
Judge Stephen Geary also ordered Mr Gosling to give Mr Connolly's office 48 hours' notice before attending any event where both men would be in attendance.
If the two do attend the same event, Mr Gosling is required to stay 15 metres away from the administrator at all times.
In a statement released to media this afternoon, NT Police said Mr Gosling allegedly breached his bail conditions on August 14.
In a statement released this evening, a spokesperson for Mr Gosling said no details had been shared by police regarding the alleged breach.
"Neither Mr Gosling nor his office have been made aware of the nature of the alleged breach and have been provided no information from police other than a summons," the spokesperson said.
"Mr Gosling is discussing the matter with his legal team, and will be defending the charge."
The statement said Mr Gosling's office would not comment further "as the matter is before the court", listed to be heard on September 30.
During Mr Gosling's first court appearance, the court heard the assault charges related to two separate incidents which allegedly occurred 30 minutes apart.
In discussing the reported details, Mr Gosling's lawyer Marty Aust SC told the court the first alleged incident had occurred "in a manner in which the administrator was unable to see the approach".
The court heard the second charge pertained to an alleged hip-and-shoulder collision between the two men, during which Mr Gosling allegedly drew back his left elbow and struck Mr Connolly in his upper rib.
Mr Gosling has strenuously denied the assault allegations, with his lawyer previously telling media the charges would be contested in court.
The federal MP has faced pressure to step down from his political role since news broke of the alleged assault, including from Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson and NT Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.
Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to stand down the Solomon MP.
"When these serious charges were first laid, we said this was a test of the prime minister's leadership and Luke Gosling should be stood down from his special envoy role while the matter is dealt with," Mr Taylor said in a statement released this afternoon.
"These allegations are matters for the courts, but Anthony Albanese has a decision to make about who serves in his government. He should stand Mr Gosling down today."
But Mr Albanese has doubled down on his earlier stance, claiming again this evening that it would be inappropriate to comment while legal proceedings play out.
"There is a legal process underway. No further comment at this time," a spokesperson for the prime minister said.
