Australia: Queensland MP claims she was drugged, sexually assaulted

Australia: Queensland MP claims she was drugged, sexually assaulted
05 May 2024

Brittany Lauga, a Labor MP from Queensland, Australia, has alleged that she was drugged and sexually assaulted last weekend in the town of Yeppoon in central Queensland.

She claimed to have gone to a police station and, subsequently, to the hospital on April 28.

"Tests at the hospital confirmed the presence of drugs in my body which I did not take," she added.

Other women may have also been drugged: Lauga
Others

She claimed that other women who may have also been drugged that same night in Yeppoon had been in touch with her in the week following the assault.

"I have had multiple women contact me who have experienced the same thing... It's not ok. We should be able to enjoy socializing in our town without the risk of being drugged or assaulted," Lauga said.

Police investigating sexual assault complaint
Heal

Lauga stated that she would need "time to physically and emotionally heal" and requested privacy.

The Queensland Police confirmed that it is investigating a sexual assault complaint relating to an incident in Yeppoon.

However, no other reports in the same vicinity have been made, according to the police, who urged anyone with information to contact them.

More on the MP
Who is

A video allegedly showing the assault of Lauga, filmed from across the street by bystanders, circulated online earlier.

Lauga, 37, is a town planner by profession and has been in parliament for over a decade, having been elected to the Keppel constituency in 2015.

She serves as Assistant Minister of Health and Regional Health Infrastructure.