Drink spiking claims after Labor MP alleges she was drugged, sexually assaulted

Police say they are aware of claims of drink spiking after a Queensland MP claimed she was drugged and sexually assaulted on a night out.

Queensland Police have said they are aware of claims of drink spiking and asked for people to come forward after a Queensland Labor MP alleged she was drugged and sexually assaulted on a night out in Yeppoon.

Brittany Lauga, Keppel MP and Queensland’s assistant minister for health, has complained to police she was drugged and sexually assaulted last weekend.

She said she underwent a rape kit and tested positive for drugs she says she did not take.

Queensland Police confirmed to news.com.au they were investigating a sexual assault complaint relating to an incident in Yeppoon on Sunday, April 28. No charges have been laid.

“While no additional reports have been made to local police, officers are aware of claims of similar incidents and ask anyone with information that may assist this investigation or have experienced something similar to contact police,” a police statement said.

“The QPS takes all reports of drink spiking seriously and investigates reports of drink spiking on a case-by-case basis, and often in conjunction with other offences such as sexual assault.

“The QPS encourages anyone who believes they have had their drink spiked to formally report the matter to police as soon as possible. This ensures police can obtain all relevant evidence in a timely manner and assists investigators to overcome any evidentiary challenges.”

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga. Picture: Instagram

Ms Lauga, 37, posted a statement on social media this morning after talking exclusively with news.com.au.

She said she went to the Yeppoon Police Station and Yeppoon Hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning.

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

“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. We should be able to enjoy socialising in our town without the risk of being drugged or assaulted.”

Ms Lauga is Queensland’s assistant minister for health. Picture: Instagram

She has complained to police she was drugged and sexually assaulted last weekend.

Ms Lauga told news.com.au that in the hours after contacting police and being taken to hospital for medical tests, 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.

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.

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

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.”

Anyone with information can contact Policelink or call 131 444. Report crime information anonymously online at Crime Stoppers or call 1800 333 000.