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Police Raid Gold Coast Apartment of Surgeon Reza Adib, Partner of Former Queensland Premier

Forensic officers searched the beachfront unit in Burleigh Heads as part of an ongoing investigation, while Annastacia Palaszczuk attended a scheduled book event hours later.

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Police Raid Gold Coast Apartment of Surgeon Reza Adib, Partner of Former Queensland Premier
Forensic officers searched the beachfront unit in Burleigh Heads as part of an ongoing investigation, while Annastacia PCredit · The Age

Key facts

  • Police entered the Norfolk building apartment in Burleigh Heads at about 11am on Thursday.
  • The apartment belongs to Dr Reza Adib, a prominent bariatric surgeon and partner of former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
  • A crime scene was declared at the apartment after the search.
  • No charges have been laid, and the nature of the investigation has not been disclosed.
  • Palaszczuk pulled out of a radio interview 15 minutes before air, citing board work.
  • She later attended her scheduled book talk at Robina Library on Thursday evening.
  • Adib established his obesity clinic in Brisbane in 2004 and was named co-chairman of the Wesley Hospital’s Centre of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery in 2017.
  • Palaszczuk has said marriage to Adib is not on the cards, stating 'We’re very happy. Why would we?'

The Raid: Forensic Search at Burleigh Heads

Police officers, including forensic specialists, entered the beachfront apartment of Dr Reza Adib in the Norfolk building on the Gold Coast at about 11am on multiple police vehicles outside as investigators conducted a detailed search of the luxury unit, including the balcony area, where officers inspected a barbecue. The address was later declared a crime scene, and items were seen being removed from the property.

No Charges Laid as Investigation Continues

Queensland Police have not laid any charges and have not revealed the nature of the investigation, citing the active status of the inquiry. Authorities stressed that Palaszczuk is not believed to be involved and may not have had any knowledge of the raid. The police have declined to provide further details.

Palaszczuk’s Book Tour Interrupted

The raid came as Palaszczuk was promoting her memoir, Finding My Way, which was launched earlier this week. She was scheduled to appear on Brisbane radio station 4BC with Gary Hardgrave at 2pm on Thursday but pulled out 15 minutes before going on air, telling the station she was 'held up with board work'. Later that evening, she arrived at the Robina Library on the Gold Coast to give a scheduled talk, which went ahead as planned.

Adib: A Prominent Surgeon in the Public Eye

Dr Reza Adib is a well-known surgeon specialising in obesity procedures. He established his obesity clinic in Brisbane in 2004 and was nominated as co-chairman of the Wesley Hospital’s Centre of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery in 2017. In 2018, he was awarded Surgeon of Excellence in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at the Wesley. Adib has been in a relationship with Palaszczuk since 2021, when she was still premier.

Relationship Under Scrutiny Amid Police Action

Asked on her book tour this week whether she and Adib were considering marriage, Palaszczuk replied, 'Ha! We’re very happy … why would we, why would we change it? We’re very happy … thank you.' The raid has drawn attention to their relationship, though police have not suggested any connection to Palaszczuk. The former premier has continued her publicity campaign for the memoir.

What Comes Next: Open Questions

With no charges laid and the investigation ongoing, the reasons for the police search remain unclear. Queensland Police have not indicated when further details might be released. Palaszczuk’s book tour continues, while Adib’s professional activities have not been publicly affected. The case adds a layer of complexity to the former premier’s public reappearance.

A Story Unfolding in the Public Eye

The raid on Adib’s apartment marks a significant development in an undisclosed police investigation, intertwining with the high-profile book launch of a former state leader. The lack of charges and the police’s silence leave many questions unanswered. For now, the focus remains on the ongoing inquiry and how it may affect the lives of those involved.

The bottom line

  • Police raided the Gold Coast apartment of Dr Reza Adib, partner of former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, on Thursday morning.
  • Forensic specialists conducted a detailed search, and the apartment was declared a crime scene.
  • No charges have been laid, and the nature of the investigation has not been disclosed.
  • Palaszczuk, on a book tour for her memoir, pulled out of a radio interview but attended a scheduled event later that evening.
  • Adib is a prominent bariatric surgeon who has been in a relationship with Palaszczuk since 2021.
  • Police have stressed that Palaszczuk is not believed to be involved in the investigation.
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Police Raid Gold Coast Apartment of Surgeon Reza Adib, Partner of Former Queensland Premier — image 1Police Raid Gold Coast Apartment of Surgeon Reza Adib, Partner of Former Queensland Premier — image 2Police Raid Gold Coast Apartment of Surgeon Reza Adib, Partner of Former Queensland Premier — image 3Police Raid Gold Coast Apartment of Surgeon Reza Adib, Partner of Former Queensland Premier — image 4Police Raid Gold Coast Apartment of Surgeon Reza Adib, Partner of Former Queensland Premier — image 5Police Raid Gold Coast Apartment of Surgeon Reza Adib, Partner of Former Queensland Premier — image 6
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