Federal Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling, has been banned from coming within 50 metres of the Northern Territory's Government House in Darwin after being charged with assaulting Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly.

Gosling appeared at the Darwin Local Court on Friday, July 31st, 2026, for the first time since NT Police charged him with two counts of assaulting Connolly. The alleged incident took place on July 18th, 2026, while both men were attending the NT Grand Thai Festival in Darwin.

In varying his bail conditions, Judge Stephen Geary ordered Gosling to provide Connolly's office with 48 hours' notice before attending any event where both men would be present.

Gosling has strongly denied the allegations. His lawyer, Marty Aust SC, told the media that the charges would be contested.

Sources