Ex-premier Palaszczuk’s partner charged with rape
A crime scene was declared at the home where former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk lives with her long-time partner.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s long-time partner, bariatric surgeon Dr Vahid Reza Adib has been charged with rape, sexual assault and deprivation of liberty.
Dr Adib arrived at a police station on the Gold Coast earlier today to be interviewed amid an investigation.
He is facing three counts of rape, one of sexual assault and two of deprivation of liberty relating to alleged offending against a woman in her 30s at Burleigh Heads on March 30.
He was granted police bail to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on May 14.
Adib’s lawyers released a statement on Friday afternoon saying Dr Adib was “shocked” by the allegations and “taking the matter very seriously”.
“Like all persons accused of a crime, he is presumed to be innocent and intends to vigorously defend the charges,” principal lawyer Dan Roger, acting on behalf of Adib said.
“Right now, Dr Adib is primarily concerned about the welfare of his family and his patients and he will do whatever it takes to ensure that they are looked after in the coming weeks.
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“Dr Adib asks that the media respect the privacy of his family and his patients at this difficult time.
“Dr Adib will not be making any comment about the matters while they are before the courts.”
Police raided Adib’s beachfront apartment on the Gold Coast on Thursday, just hours before Palaszczuk launched her memoir, The Politics of Being Me.
The couple lives together at the luxury property in the Norfolk building at Burleigh Heads.
Queensland media report that police, including forensic specialists, conducted a thorough search.
They could be seen examining the property and removing paper bags filled with items. One plainclothes officer even inspected a barbecue on the balcony.
A plainclothes officer inspects a barbecue. Photo: Seven Network
It’s understood that Palaszczuk is not the subject of the investigation.
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Journalists later approached Palaszczuk at her free event to publicise her book at the Robina Library on Thursday night.
One asked if she would still support Adib given the police investigation, The Australian reports.
“I’m not aware of any of that so I can’t comment,” Palaszczuk said.
A police statement said: “Police declared a crime scene at an address in Burleigh Heads [on Thursday] as part of an ongoing investigation.
“Detectives and specialist officers attended the address on Goodwin Terrace around 11am and investigations are ongoing.”
The former premier’s memoir was launched earlier this week and she is on a national publicity campaign.
The book is billed as a behind-the-scenes look at Palaszczuk’s political triumphs and personal struggles — “from the relentless scrutiny of public life to her deeply personal battle with IVF”.
“Through it all, she reflects on the sacrifices, resilience and unwavering sense of purpose it takes to lead while staying true to yourself.”
Adib’s bio on the Brisbane Obesity Clinic website says he has performed more than 20,000 operations and has extensive experience in laparoscopic surgery and obesity management.
Adib reportedly chased the then-premier for some time before they met at a horse racing day in July 2021. Their whirlwind romance remained under wraps until September that year, when they went public and began attending high-profile events as a couple.
Last month, Palaszczuk was presented with a medal as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), the nation’s highest civilian honour, at a ceremony at Government House.
The former Labor premier, who represented the seat of Inala from 2006-2023 and led Queensland for nine of those years, was awarded the honour for her eminent service to public health, educational equity and multiculturalism.
Palaszczuk was the first woman in Australia to win consecutive elections as premier and guided Queensland through the Covid-19 pandemic.
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