Annastacia Palaszczuk’s surgeon partner Dr Reza Adib suspended by medical watchdog
The partner of former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been suspended from practicing medicine by the medical watchdog just weeks after being accused of rape and sexual assault.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has confirmed that bariatric surgeon Dr Vahid Reza Adib has been suspended and cannot work in Australia.
The Health Ombudsman said they started the registration process immediately and on Tuesday Dr. He said they suspended Adib’s registration.
“The suspension of registration means that Dr Adib is prohibited from practicing as a medical doctor for the duration of the suspension,” the Ombudsman said on its website.
The order will remain in force until the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal sets aside a decision or the Ombudsman revokes the stay.
Dr Adib, 65, is charged with three counts of rape, two counts of deprivation of liberty and one count of sexual assault.
He denies the allegations he will defend.
The alleged assault is said to have happened at his luxury flat in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast on March 30.
On April 30, police raided the Goodwin Terrace residence as part of the investigation and seized numerous items.
The matter is currently before the Brisbane Magistrates Court.
Mr Adib is the former Ms Palaszczuk’s long-term partner; The couple have been dating since 2021, when Ms Palaszczuk was still in office.
It was stated that Ms Palaszczuk was not involved in the alleged crime, was not involved in the investigation and was not accused of any misconduct.
The investigation into the famous surgeon coincided with the launch of Ms Palaszczuk’s book, The Politics of Being Mine, on 28 April.
Ms Palaszczuk’s publisher, Max Markson, confirmed that the book tour and media blitz planned following Mr Adib’s arrest would be postponed.
Dr Adib is a bariatric surgeon at the Brisbane Obesity Clinic in Auchenflower, which he founded in 2004.
He has performed more than 20,000 surgeries with his expertise in laparoscopic surgery and obesity management, according to the clinic’s website.
