Dramatic update on the future of Annastacia Palaszczuk's surgeon lover's medical career after he was charged with rape at his $7million beachside home on the Gold Coast

By MATT JONES, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA and CANDACE SUTTON ON THE GOLD COAST Published: 04:11, 16 May 2026 | Updated: 04:14, 16 May 2026 Dr Vahid Reza Adib, the partner of former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, will be allowed to keep practising despite being charged with rape. The medical regulator has so far decided against taking immediate action against the 65-year-old to allow for due process. The bariatric surgeon is facing three counts of rape, two charges of unlawful detention and a charge of sexual assault following an alleged attack at his $7million Gold Coast beachside unit on March 30. The charges also allege Adib 'unlawfully and indecently assaulted [the alleged victim], bringing into contact part of [her] genitalia with the mouth of [the accused]'. The Daily Mail revealed this week that Adib's  alleged victim is almost half his age and also works in the medical industry. She is among a list of 10 people Adib is prohibited from contacting under the terms of his bail conditions, including people known to the alleged victim. The Iranian-born doctor's medical registration remains in place with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). A spokesperson at the Office of the Health Ombudsman said: 'The Act requires, in certain circumstances, that practitioners be given an opportunity to respond to any proposed action through a formal show cause process.' Reza Adib is accused of committing a graphic sexual assault on his alleged victim Annastacia Palaszczuk has often been seen with Reza Adib, but has not addressed the charges since his arrest Weight-loss specialist Dr Reza Adib, 65, has been allowed to continue practising medicine despite being charged with rape Adib is next due to appear in court on July 7, with the court ordering a police brief of evidence to be prepared by June 23. Detectives seized material from the doctor's home in Burleigh Heads on April 30, before he was charged at Southport Police Station the following day. Palaszczuk has often been seen staying with Adib at the home where the alleged rape took place, but has not publicly addressed the charges since his arrest. Adib is renowned for his weight-loss surgery clinic at Brisbane's private Wesley Hospital, and has been Palaszczuk's partner since they first met five years ago. The surgeon's said the specialist was shocked by the charges.  'Like all persons accused of a crime, he is presumed to be innocent and intends to vigorously defend the charges,' his lawyer Dan Rogers said. Adib has a substantial real estate portfolio, with land records showing he or his companies acquired properties worth $42million in south-east Queensland. The portfolio includes a riverside home and beachside apartment, a roadside shopping strip that has medical tenants, and office space. Following the charges, UnitingCare confirmed that Adib was no longer an accredited surgeon at its Wesley Hospital in Brisbane. The Daily Mail contacted the Office of the Health Ombudsman for further comment. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.