MP's politicisation claim over arrest part of 'strategy', commissioner says
Martin Dole says a claim from Luke Gosling's lawyer that the MP's arrest was politicised is "offensive" and part of a "strategy".
NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole has dismissed claims of politicisation surrounding Labor MP Luke Gosling's arrest, calling the allegations offensive and part of a defence strategy. Gosling was charged with two counts of assaulting NT Administrator David Connolly, though the MP denies the charges. The timing of Gosling's first contact with police before his arrest is disputed between the politician and police commissioner.
Gosling's lawyer claimed the arrest was politically motivated, but Commissioner Dole refuted the allegation, stating the police had made multiple attempts to contact Gosling before the arrest. The NT Director of Public Prosecutions referred Gosling's matter to the Commonwealth DPP to avoid any perceived conflict of interest. Despite calls for him to step down, Gosling has maintained his position as the NT's special envoy for defence, veterans' affairs, and northern Australia.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
