A Queensland MP who alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted has described the ordeal as “indescribably tough”.
Brittany Lauga alleges she was victimised during a night out in Yeppoon in central Queensland in her electorate of Keppel on April 28.
In her first television interview since the incident, she told 7NEWS that the incident would not end her political career and her recent return to work was a welcome distraction from the ordeal.
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“It’s been a tough couple of weeks. Indescribably tough,” she said.
“But it’s good to be back. I love my work and I get a lot out of it. Being back at work is actually a really great distraction
“I had to recover physically and mentally. I still am.
“(But) I’m not ready to be done yet. I’m not ready to hang my boots up. I still have a lot more in the tank and work to finish.
“I’m determined not to let this get me down. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Lauga, the state’s assistant health minister, said in a social media statement on May 4 that hospital tests revealed “the presence of drugs in my body which I did not take”.
Those drugs “impacted me significantly,” she claimed.
She declined to talk specifically about the night in question in the interview with 7NEWS on Tuesday.
Queensland police have confirmed they are investigating her sexual assault complaint.
Lauga again thanked the community for its “amazing” support, also saying that “many, many people” have told her of having their drinks spiked “in this region”.
“I do think we should be able to enjoy socialising in our towns without this kind of rot happening,” she said.
