Sophie Callan engaged to prosecute MP Luke Gosling — ABC News Australia
In Australia, the Northern Territory Director of Public Prosecutions has engaged Sydney barrister Sophie Callan SC to conduct the prosecution in the case of federal Labor MP Luke Gosling. She will handle the case concerning an alleged assault on Northern Territory Administrator David Connolly, ABC News reports.
Charges against the MP
Gosling has been charged with two counts of assault against Connolly, who is the King's representative in the Northern Territory. The role is vice-regal and equivalent to that of a state governor.
According to ABC News, the alleged incidents occurred during the NT Thai Grand Festival in July. Gosling denies the charges and said he will contest them in court.
During the first court hearing, the MP's lawyer, Marty Aust SC, said the first alleged incident occurred in a manner in which the administrator did not see Gosling approaching. The second charge concerns an alleged collision between the men, during which, according to the prosecution, the MP moved back his left elbow and struck Connolly in the upper ribs.
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Bail charge
Following his first court appearance, Gosling was also charged with breaching his bail conditions on August 14. A representative for the MP previously said that Gosling did not attend any events at the same time as Connolly that day and would defend himself in the case.
The bail conditions prohibit the MP from coming within 50 metres of the Northern Territory Administrator's residence. He must also notify Connolly's office 48 hours before attending an event where both men will be present and remain at least 15 metres away from the administrator during such an event.
The Directorate explained that Callan was engaged to avoid a potential conflict of interest. A month earlier, Australia's federal Director of Public Prosecutions declined to handle the case. Gosling's case was due to continue at Darwin Local Court on September 30.
