Police investigating after Labor MP alleges she was drugged, sexually assaulted

Queensland MP Brittany Lauga claims she was drugged and sexually assaulted on a night out, with a video circulating of the incident on Snapchat.

EXCLUSIVE

A Queensland Labor MP says she is “living a nightmare” after a night out in Yeppoon ended with her in hospital and undergoing a rape kit and testing positive for drugs she says she did not take.

Brittany Lauga, the assistant minister for health in the Queensland Government, has complained to police she was drugged and sexually assaulted.

Ms Lauga, 37, sat down with police for a formal interview on Monday for more than four hours.

A police investigation is now underway. No charges have been laid.

But in the hours after contacting police and being taken to hospital for medical tests, she says she learned from friends there was a video circulating of the incident on Snapchat. It was filmed by bystanders across the street.

It’s for that reason that she says she felt compelled to explain to her electorate of Keppel, which includes Yeppoon, what is going on and why she has taken mental health leave.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga. Picture: Instagram

In the grainy video, shot by bystanders and shared online, a man appears to touch the female MP’s genitalia. The video has been described to but not viewed by news.com.au.

She is standing outside of the pub on a public street.

It is not clear in the video whether the act is consensual or non-consensual and police are investigating.

The Queensland Criminal Code (Consent and Mistake of Fact) Bill which was introduced in 2020 made changes to sexual assault laws in Queensland. Those changes include that silence alone does not amount to consent, consent initially given can be withdrawn by words or conduct, a jury can consider anything the defendant said or did to ascertain consent when considering the excuse of mistake, and the voluntary intoxication of the defendant is irrelevant to whether it was reasonable that a defendant believed they had consent.

Brittany Lauga.

Brittany Lauga.

Ms Lauga denies that she made a complaint of sexual assault after learning of the video to stop the publication, as has been suggested by at least one media outlet.

She described the claims as “defamatory and untrue”.

She said she went to police in the early hours of Sunday morning and did not learn of the video until sometime later.

“On Sunday afternoon a friend of mine told me about this video that was circulating,” she said.

“It seemed to be among young people to begin with on Snapchat. And I just couldn’t believe it. I had no idea, I watched the video. It was just an awful, awful thing to watch. You know, the following days have just been a living nightmare.

“You wake up and you have to remind yourself this is reality.

“I went to the police station and the hospital straight after it happened and they did forensic rape kit. They’ve done drug tests, blood, urine, everything.

“They’ve taken my clothes. The police came down. First of all, I had a very, very long, vigorous shower afterwards and then I slept for most of the day.”

Brittany Lauga pictured with Queensland Premier Steven Miles. Picture: Instagram

Brittany Lauga pictured during question time at Parliament House.

By Monday morning, Ms Lauga said the video had made its way to Brisbane media outlets where she was contacted and asked to respond to its contents by multiple outlets.

News.com.au understands that the MP engaged lawyers and it is understood she has asked media outlets to destroy the video but not all have complied while the investigation plays out.

She remains concerned about how the video made its way so quickly into the hands of multiple media outlets.

“My GP said to me, ‘So, you got your drink spiked? Someone assaulted you? And then people filmed it? And then (journalists) are ringing you?”

After the incident was filmed without her knowledge from across the street, Ms Lauga says she tried to get a taxi before walking home where her family rushed to comfort her in the early hours of Sunday morning.

She says she fell to the ground and told her brother, “I think I’ve been raped.”

“My mum said where do we go? And I said, ‘the police station’,” Ms Lauga said.

Ms Lauga said the police told her to go to hospital.

“The doctor told me that women are drugged in Yeppoon on a weekly basis,” Ms Lauga said. “I am terrified for the safety of women in our community.

“It’s more than just a video. I think those people have got more,” she said, sobbing. “It’s the worst week of my life.”

Brittany Lauga has been Keppel’s representative in the Queensland parliament since 2015. Picture: Instagram

Ms Lauga said she had decided to explain the circumstances of the video to her constituents and her decision to take leave.

She had also communicated this decision to Queensland Police.

“I am a member of parliament. There’s a lot of people in the community that you know, have obviously seen an awful, awful video and want to know, you know what’s going on?,” she said.

“I’ve taken a period of leave this week and probably next week as well, just to recover.”

In a statement released by her office, Ms Lauga said in the early hours of Sunday morning “I went to the Yeppoon Police Station and Yeppoon Hospital, after being drugged and sexually assaulted.”

“Tests at the hospital confirmed the presence of drugs in my body which I did not take. This substance impacted me significantly,” she said.

The incident occurred in Yeppoon.

“A Police investigation is underway. I have been contacted by other women who may also have been drugged in Yeppoon on Saturday night.

“This could have happened to anyone and tragically, it does happen to many of us.

“I have had multiple women contact me who have experienced the same thing in our town. It’s not OK.

“I need time to physically and emotionally heal after what has happened so I ask you respect my privacy as I get the support I need.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me in support. I truly value your thoughtful messages, gestures and kindness.

“If you have any information that may assist the investigation, please tell the police.”

Queensland police have confirmed it is investigating a sexual assault complaint relating to an incident in Yeppoon on Sunday, April 28.

“Investigations in this matter are ongoing,” a spokesman said. “As is routine in such investigations, no further comment will be made at this time.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles offered support for Ms Lauga in a statement but said he would not be commenting on the matter as police investigate.

“My sole focus is on Brittany and her wellbeing. I’ve told Brittany that we’re here to support her, whatever she needs,’’ he said.

“This matter is currently subject to a police investigation.

“Out of respect of her privacy, and in the interests of allowing the police to complete their investigation, it is not appropriate for me to comment any further.”

Originally published as Police investigating after Labor MP alleges she was drugged, sexually assaulted