An MP claims she was drugged and sexually assaulted in a pub car park after a grainy Snapchat video of the incident emerged online in what she described as the “worst week of her life”.
Labor MP Brittany Lauga, who is assistant health minister in the Queensland state government, identified herself as appearing in the Snapchat video taken outside a pub in the central Queensland town of Yeppoon last Saturday.
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.
Queensland Labor MP Brittany Lauga claims she was drugged and then sexually assaulted in a pub car park.
However, Mrs Lauga has said News Ltd which she features in the Snapchat video of the alleged assault, which has been widely circulated among her friends and the media.
Lauga insists that before learning about the video, he filed a complaint with the police and underwent a four-hour interview with them, in addition to testing positive in 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.
“I saw the video,” he said.
“It was just a horrible, horrible thing to see. You know, the next few days have been a living nightmare.
‘You wake up and have to remind yourself that this is reality.
‘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 the hospital confirmed the presence of medications that she “did not take.”
“This substance impacted me significantly,” he said.
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.
Videos and images of the alleged incident have been circulating widely on social media, including this image. It is not clear if it is from the night in question.
It was then that 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, vigorous 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 customary in these types of investigations, no further comment will be made at this time.”
Lauga told News Ltd that he did not believe the video was the last material that could be made public.
“I think those people have more,” he said.
“It’s the worst week of my life.”
He indicated his leave period would likely be extended into next week.
In response to Lauga’s listing, Queensland Premier Stephen Miles issued a statement offering his and 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.”