MP who says she was drugged, sexually assaulted, closes her electorate office
Queensland Labor MP Brittany Lauga has closed her electorate office due to her staff being threatened weeks after she said she was drugged and sexually assaulted.
Brittany Lauga speaks during question time at Queensland Parliament, in Brisbane, Tuesday, October 15, 2019. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) NO ARCHIVING
The Member for Keppel has revealed two female staff members at her office in Yeppoon, in central Queensland, have been threatened on several occasions.
As a result of the threats, the state’s Parliamentary Services asked her to close the office.
“The safety of my staff is absolutely my number one priority,” she said in a Facebook post on Tuesday night.
Ms Lauga said her hard working and passionate staff were employed to support her community, not be threatened.
“I will not tolerate threatening or harassing behaviour and as such, the office will remain closed until further notice,” she said.
Both staff are now working remotely.
It comes after Ms Lauga disclosed earlier this month she attended hospital and reported to police that she was allegedly drugged and assaulted on a night out in Yeppoon on April 28.
“It’s not ok. We should be able to enjoy socialising in our town without the risk of being drugged or assaulted,” she said on May 4.
Queensland Police confirmed officers are investigating a sexual assault complaint regarding an incident in the regional town.
Officers are also aware of claims of similar incidents and urged anyone who has had their drink spiked or experienced something similar to formally report the matter to police.
Ms Lauga has taken time away from parliament to recover from the alleged incident.