The Queensland health ombudsman has suspended the registration of prominent surgeon Vahid Reza Adib, the partner of former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, following his recent rape charges. The suspension, effective from 2 June 2026, prohibits Adib from practising as a medical practitioner until it is lifted by the ombudsman or the Queensland civil and administrative tribunal.
Adib, a bariatric surgeon who ran an obesity clinic at the Wesley hospital in Brisbane, was charged on 1 May with three counts of rape, two counts of deprivation of liberty, and one count of sexual assault. Police allege that he sexually assaulted a woman in her 30s at a residence in Goodwin Terrace on 30 March. A crime scene warrant was executed at the property on 30 April, and several items were seized.
Adib's legal team stated that he will “vigorously defend the charges”. His lawyer, Dan Rogers, said in a statement that Adib is “shocked about the allegations” and is taking the matter seriously, emphasising the presumption of innocence. Adib has performed more than 20,000 operations and has worked in Brisbane since the mid-1990s.
The surgeon's relationship with Palaszczuk, which began during her premiership, brought him into the public spotlight. The former premier has not commented on the charges.
