Keppel MP closes electorate office and hands “evidence” of threats to police

A Qld MP has handed over CCTV, email and voicemail of threats to police as she pleads with tormentors to leave her staff, family and friends alone. But a rival has criticised the closure of the electorate office.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga MP’s electorate office has been shut down after threats. Staff are working remotely.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga has closed her Yeppoon electorate office after receiving threats following her police complaint in late April that she was drugged and sexually assaulted.

The politician posted on Tuesday afternoon that the Keppel electorate office was closed at the request of Queensland Parliamentary Services “as a result of several threatening and offensive safety concerns from members of the public”.

Ms Lauga said the threatening and offensive safety concerns have been referred to police, along with security footage, email and voicemail evidence.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga posted on Facebook on Tuesday, May 21 that she has closed her electorate office.

“I’m the politician. people can fire bullets at me all they like. I’m used to it! But leave my staff, family and friends alone!

thanks,” she posted on social media.

Ms Lauga made a police complaint that she was drugged and sexually assaulted on Sunday, April 28 and has since said other women have contacted her saying their drinks were also spiked.

A grainy video shot by bystanders and widely circulated on social media shows a man and the female MP in the Anzac Parade, Yeppoon carpark across from The Strand Hotel.

State Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga pictured with Premier Steven Miles Picture Instagram

Ms Lauga said staff are currently working remotely and constituents are able to contact the office and receive support and advice as per usual.

“The Keppel Electorate Office staff are two hardworking and passionate women public servants; employed to provide support and advice to the public,” she posted on Facebook.

“The safety of my staff is absolutely my number one priority.

“I will not tolerate threatening or harassing behaviour and as such, the office will remain closed until further notice.”

Queensland MP and member for Keppel Brittany Lauga posted on Instagram claiming she was drugged and sexually assaulted on a night out, with a video circulating of the incident on Snapchat. Source: Facebook

Senator Nita Green posted in support of Ms Lauga underneath her Facebook post, saying everyone deserved to be safe at work.

The Queensland Police Service investigation into the sexual assault and drink spiking complaints is still underway.

Clerk of the parliament Neil Laurie, who has responsibility for electorate offices, said there had been “incidents at the office” that raised concern about the health and safety of staff.

“Electorate Office staff have the right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times,” he said.

“They should be able to do their work without being physically or verbally abused.

“They have a right to a safe workplace and a right to feel safe.”

Mr Laurie said he had directed staff to close the office and work remotely, with the status of staff attendance being evaluated each week.

One Nation Keppel candidate James Ashby argued the electorate office should remain open.

“Keppel residents have been sympathetic towards the time Ms Lauga has taken off following allegations of her being drugged and sexually assaulted outside the Strand, but there is no excuse for the Keppel electorate office to be closed to walk-in constituents,” he said.

“I’m aware of the numerous security features installed in them including duress alarms that offer a direct link to police, security cameras, protective glass screens, and security guards within the shopping centre that her office is in.

“Locals have told me they get an answering machine if they call the office – I’m sorry, that’s not good enough.”

Asked about the situation on Wednesday, Police Minister Mark Ryan said everyone had a right to feel safe at work.

“People are entitled to their opinions and expressing their views on things, but wouldn’t the world be a better place if respect and decency was the priority for everyone,” he said.

Originally published as Keppel MP closes electorate office and hands “evidence” of threats to police