Luke slams “the failure to recognise Darwin’s critical national importance”

The Territory’s Member for Solomon Luke Gosling has failed to gain a promotion from the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and pulled no punches letting him know how he feels about it.

Luke Gosling and Malarndirri McCarthy at Darwin's Labor HQ on election night on May 3, 2025. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Northern Territory’s Member for Solomon Luke Gosling has failed to gain a promotion from the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and pulled no punches letting him know how he feels about it.

Mr Gosling, who holds his seat by a narrow 1 per cent margin, said he was “personally disappointed” not to have been appointed Assistant Minister and has lashed out at “the failure to recognise Darwin’s critical national importance”.

He said he had expected to take on more responsibility.

During the recent federal election campaign Mr Gosling, who is now in his fourth term, told media the Prime Minister had indicated he would be getting promoted to Assistant Minister.

This commitment failed to be fulfilled when Prime Minister Albanese announced his new ministerial line up.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail In the NT in the seat of Solomon with MP Luke Gosling Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

Instead the Prime Minister has kept Mr Gosling on in his previous role as the Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans Affairs’ and northern Australia.

“I congratulate the new Albanese Ministry and welcome the opportunity to continue serving as the Special Envoy for Defence, Veterans Affairs’ and northern Australia,” Mr Gosling said in a statement.

“I fight every day for the North to get its fair share — and I will not stop.

“My commitment to Darwin and Palmerston is unshakeable, and my determination is stronger than ever.

“Yes, I am personally disappointed not to have been appointed Assistant Minister — but more disappointing is the failure to recognise Darwin’s critical national importance.

“I had expected to take on more responsibility, but as we’ve all seen there are a lot of factors, and factions, at play.

“The Prime Minister has an enviable problem — a strong team to choose from. But let me be clear: northern Australia’s voice will be louder, not sidelined.

“I will keep fearlessly fighting and the Prime Minister understands this: while I represent Solomon, he will be constantly reminded how vital the Territory is to our nation’s economic and national security.”

Federal Minister for Resources and Minister for northern Australia Madeline King said she was looking forward to working with Mr Gosling in his special envoy role “to ensure the north grows and prospers.”

Originally published as Luke slams “the failure to recognise Darwin’s critical national importance”