Queensland state MP Brittany Lauga has closed her electorate office in Yeppoon following “several threatening and offensive safety concerns” targeted at her staff.
Lauga, the Member for Keppel, announced the closure of her office in a statement on social media, saying the safety of her staff is her “number one priority”.
“The Keppel Electorate Office staff are two hardworking and passionate women public servants; employed to provide support and advice to the public,” Lauga wrote in the statement.
“I will not tolerate threatening or harassing behaviour and as such, the office will remain closed until further notice.”
Details on the incidents that led to the closure of the office are limited. Queensland Police told Women’s Agenda they are aware and making enquiries into the matter.
Lauga said her staff are working remotely and constituents are still welcome to contact the office and receive a response “as per usual” via email and telephone.
Earlier today, the Queensland Minister for Police Mark Ryan addressed the closure of the office in front of reporters.
“Brittany is having a very tough time at the moment and number of people have provided her support and continue to provide support,” Minister Ryan said.
“But speaking generally, no matter what your job is, you should be able to do that job without people attacking you, insulting you, bullying you… wouldn’t the world be a better place if respect and decency was the priority for everyone in the way they conducted themselves?”
Allegations of sexual assault
The closure of the Keppel Electorate Office comes just weeks after Lauga alleged she had been drugged and sexually assaulted on a night out.
She made the allegations in a statement on Instagram on May 4 and said authorities are investigating the incident.
“In the early hours of Sunday morning I went to the Yeppoon Police Station and Yeppoon Hospital, after being drugged and sexually assaulted,” Lauga wrote.
“Tests at the hospital confirmed the presence of drugs in my body, which I did not take. This substance impacted me significantly.”
Lauga said other women who were allegedly also drugged in Yeppoon on the same night contacted her. She has also heard from other women who have been drugged in Yeppoon on separate occasions.
“This could have happened to anyone and tragically, it does happen to many of us,” Lauga said.
“It’s not ok. We should be able to enjoy socialising in our town without the risk of being drugged or assaulted.”
Following the incident, Lauga took leave from her parliamentary duties for a week to “physically and emotionally heal”.
At the time, Queensland Premier Steven Miles told the ABC the Queensland government would support Lauga during this time.
“No one should have to go through what Brittany is going through,” the Premier said.
“My sole focus is on Brittany and her wellbeing. I’ve told Brittany that we’re here to support her, whatever she needs.”
Queensland Police told the ABC at the time that they are investigating a sexual assault complaint.
There has not been a national investigation into the prevalence of drink spiking since the National Project on Drink Spiking report was released in 2004. The study, commissioned by the federal government, took place across 2002-2003 and found there were up to 4,000 suspected incidents of drink spiking in Australia. Roughly one third of these incidents were associated with sexual assault.
Last year, the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research revealed there were 220 food or drink spiking incidents between July 2022 and June 2023, according to police records. This reflected a 20 per cent increase from the previous year and is the highest rate of drink spiking in NSW in the last five years.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.
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