A Labor MP who claims she was drugged and sexually assaulted on a night out previously endured a lengthy court case after claiming she was harassed by a man.
Brittany Lauga, Assistant Health Minister in the Queensland state government, revealed she had lodged a police report after a night out in Yeppoon on Saturday, April 27.
She claimed she was sexually assaulted after a Snapchat video circulated widely on social media that appeared to show her in intimate contact with a man.
Lauga described the events of the last week as “the worst of (his) life.”
But in December 2017, Lauga claimed she was the victim of harassment by a blogger who claimed he was investigating possible fraud carried out by the Keppel MP and her then-husband.
She told Rockhampton Magistrates Court that at the time she was living in a constant state of fear, “terrified” of the man and suffered “great anxiety for a long time”.
“I feel like my phone is tapped or tapped,” he said at the time.
Brittany Lauga, Assistant Health Minister in the Queensland state government, revealed she had lodged a police report after a night out in Yeppoon on Saturday, April 27.
The court later dismissed the charge, with a magistrate ruling that there was no possible way a jury could determine the allegations were true beyond a reasonable doubt.
And a year earlier, Lauga was forced to defend herself in a tearful late-night speech to parliament after reports emerged that her husband was involved in an ugly bar dispute.
Keppel Sands pub owner Mark Hurst told media at the time that “Brittany was asked to remove her husband because he was the aggressor.”
“She is only linked by association with the relationship.”
It is understood the night became heated during a rugby league match and it was “nothing they (bar staff) couldn’t handle”.
But Mrs Lauga was left distraught when the incident became public and offered a brief explanation in parliament shortly after the article was published.
“In response to the media reports that have come to my attention tonight, I am deeply upset and hurt by the way this story has been portrayed,” she said.
‘I value my integrity and honesty as a member of parliament. The newspaper’s claim that I was asked to leave a licensed venue and subsequently banned is simply not true.
‘I can confirm that my husband and I were in a pub on Saturday night watching football and things got rowdy, as they usually do.
She was forced to defend herself in a tearful late-night speech to parliament after reports emerged that her husband was involved in an ugly row in a bar. (In the photo, Lauga with her ex-husband, Wayne)
Keppel Sands Pub owner (pictured) Mark Hurst told media at the time that “Brittany was asked to remove her husband because he was the aggressor.”
‘My husband and I were not involved in any fight, and I reject the suggestion that we were. Due to the noisy environment, I urged my husband to leave, and so we did.
“It’s always disturbing to have your private life on the front page, but my marriage, my integrity, and my work representing the people of Keppel remain my top priority.”
In 2021, after separating from her husband, Lauga revealed that she had been the subject of yet another incident.
Lauga told voters that someone had “created a fake Gmail address impersonating me.”
He said the person had been “contacting the media with lies about my apparent love life.”
“I have reported this to the police,” he said. ‘Seriously, whoever you are, get a life.
“That is precisely why more and more women do not enter politics.”
Ms. Lauga declared in 2022, as part of her record of interest, that she had won a personal injury claim and received a payment in excess of the minimum reportable sum of $1,088.28. No further details about the claim were made public.
Daily Mail Australia previously reported that a female politician made a sexual assault complaint after a night out last Saturday, but did not name Lauga, 37.
Lauga says he filed a police report before learning of the video and underwent a four-hour interview with officers, in addition to testing positive at the hospital for a drug he says he does not take.
She said the video prompted her to come forward, but she also feels she owes her Yeppoon constituents an explanation about why she is on mental health leave.
Lauga said he felt “horrible” and that the next few days were a “living nightmare.”
“You wake up and you have to remind yourself that this is reality,” he said.
‘I went to the police station and hospital immediately after it (the alleged assault) happened and they did a forensic rape kit on me. He’s been tested for drugs, blood, urine, everything.
She said in her statement that the hospital confirmed the presence of medications that she “did not take.”
Daily Mail Australia previously reported that a female politician made a sexual assault complaint after a night out last Saturday, but did not name Lauga, 37.
“This substance impacted me significantly,” he said. ‘I have been contacted by several women who have experienced the same thing in our city.
‘Not well. We should be able to enjoy socializing in our city without the risk of being drugged or assaulted.’
Lauga said a doctor told her that women were drugged in Yeppoon on a weekly basis.
In the video, recorded by passersby across the street, Lauga appears to be in intimate contact with a man in a parking lot.
After the incident, Lauga said she was unable to catch a taxi and had to walk home, where her family came to console her on Sunday morning.
Lauga said she collapsed in front of her brother and told him she thought she had been raped.
That’s when he decided to go to the police station and had the formal interview with them on Monday.
After police questioning and hospital tests, Lauga said he went home, took a long shower and slept throughout the day.
The police have issued a statement saying they are investigating the matter.
“The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is investigating an allegation of sexual assault related to an incident,” the statement said.
‘Investigations into this matter are ongoing. As is usual in this type of investigation, no further comments will be made at this time.’
Lauga said he did not believe the video was the last material that could be made public and described it as “the worst week of my life.”
He indicated his leave period would likely be extended into next week.
In response to Ms Lauga’s public statement, Queensland Premier Steven Miles offered his government’s full support.
“No one should have to go through what Brittany is going through,” the statement said.
‘My sole focus is on Brittany and her well-being. I told Brittany that we are here to support her, whatever she needs.
‘This matter is currently subject to a police investigation.
“Out of respect for his privacy and in the interest of allowing the police to complete their investigation, it is not appropriate for me to comment further.”