Prominent Brisbane surgeon Dr Vahid Reza Adib has been suspended from practising medicine anywhere in Australia amid multiple serious criminal charges. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency register now lists Adib’s registration status as “Suspended”, stating: “This practitioner is currently suspended. They cannot practise in Australia.”
Charges and Allegations
The development comes about a month after Adib, the partner of former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, was charged with three counts of rape, two counts of deprivation of liberty and one count of sexual assault. Police allege the offences relate to the alleged assault of a woman in her 30s at a luxury Burleigh Heads apartment on the Gold Coast on March 30 this year. Detectives later raided the property before the 65-year-old Brisbane weight loss surgeon was charged on May 1.
Adib’s Response
Adib has previously indicated he intends to vigorously defend the allegations. Following his arrest, Adib was granted bail under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and not contacting a number of people connected to the matter, including the complainant.
Impact on Palaszczuk
The suspension marks a significant escalation in the fallout surrounding the high-profile surgeon, who had initially remained registered while regulatory processes were underway. Palaszczuk has cancelled multiple appearances on her national book tour promoting her memoir The Politics of Being Me after the charges against her long-term partner emerged publicly. Authorities have stressed Palaszczuk is not believed to be involved in the matter.
Next Court Appearance
Adib is due back before the courts on July 7.
