Partner of former Queensland premier charged with rape

Friday, 1 May 2026 14:57

The prominent surgeon allegedly assaulted a woman in her 30s at a Gold Coast apartment.

Prominent surgeon Dr Reza Adib, the partner of former long-serving Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, has been charged with three counts of rape, two counts of deprivation of liberty and one count of sexual assault.

Police allege Adib sexually assaulted a woman in her 30s at an address at Goodwin Terrace at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast on March 30.

Officers were seen coming and going from the beachside unit yesterday afternoon and leaving with bags of evidence.

Dr Reza Adib arrive for the state funeral for former Governor-General and Labor leader Bill Hayden in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, November 3, 2023.

Adib presented to Southport Police Station earlier today, where he was charged before being released on police bail this afternoon.

He left the station with his lawyer and did not answer questions from the waiting press pack.

His lawyer, Dan Rogers, issued a statement this afternoon.

"Dr Adib is shocked about the allegations made about him and is taking the matter very seriously," he said in the statement.

"Like all persons accused of a crime, he is presumed to be innocent and intends to vigorously defend the charges.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her partner Dr Reza Adib arrive for the state funeral for former Governor-General and Labor leader Bill Hayden in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, November 3, 2023. Picture: Dan Peled

"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."

Adib, a bariatric surgeon at the Brisbane Obesity Clinic, is due to appear in Southport Magistrates' Court on May 14.

Authorities have stressed Palaszczuk was not involved and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on her part.

The pair have been together since 2021.

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