Dr Reza Adib, a surgeon and the partner of former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, faces a review of his medical registration after being charged with raping a woman at his luxury Gold Coast apartment. The 65-year-old was charged on Friday with three counts of rape, two counts of deprivation of liberty, and one count of sexual assault.
Alleged Incident
Police allege the incident involved a woman in her 30s and occurred at Adib's beachfront apartment in Burleigh Heads on March 30. Adib shares the $6.2 million home with Palaszczuk, whom he has been in a relationship with since 2021. Palaszczuk is not accused of any wrongdoing and is reportedly 'stunned' by the charges.
Legal Response
In a statement posted on the Brisbane Obesity Clinic's website, where Adib works, his lawyer Dan Rogers from Robertson O'Gorman Solicitors said his client was shocked by the allegations. '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,' Rogers said. 'Dr Adib asks that the media respect the privacy of his family and his patients at this difficult time. Like all persons accused of a crime, he is presumed to be innocent and intends to vigorously defend the charges.'
Medical Registration Review
Under Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency rules, any registered health practitioner charged with an offence punishable by 12 months' imprisonment or more must notify the regulator within seven days, triggering a review of their registration. As of Sunday afternoon, Adib was still listed as a registered medical practitioner. Daily Mail has contacted Wesley Hospital, through which the Brisbane Obesity Clinic operates, for comment.
Investigation Details
Days earlier, detectives were investigating whether a 'stupefying' drug was used in the alleged attack after unidentified substances were seized from the unit. About half a dozen police officers searched the apartment on Wednesday, with one officer seen searching inside a barbecue on the balcony. Officers later left with brown evidence bags.
Adib turned himself in to Southport Police Station on Friday, making no comment to waiting media. He was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 14. The apartment was raided hours before Palaszczuk returned to the Gold Coast from Sydney, where she had been promoting her memoir, The Politics of Being Me. When asked about the investigation at a library event, Palaszczuk replied: 'I'm not aware of any of that, so I can't comment.'
Political Reactions
Former federal opposition leader and Queensland MP Peter Dutton called on the media and public to stop including Palaszczuk's name when reporting on Adib's charges. 'Given it's been established Annastacia Palaszczuk has nothing to do with the serious allegations now before the court, it is entirely reasonable to ask that media reporting of the matter exclude her name,' Dutton said. 'Regardless of your political views, there needs to be regard for an individual who will be going through more than enough at the moment. Report the matter, of course, but just leave her name out of it.'
Palaszczuk wrote in her memoir that she felt 'blessed' to share her life with Dr Adib, his two children, and their dog, Winton.
