Former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been spotted enjoying her newfound free time with her partner, high-profile surgeon Reza Adib.
Ms Palaszczuk announced she was stepping down from the Sunshine State’s top job on December 10, after nine years in the role.
She was pictured for the first time since that announcement on December 27, enjoying a glass of wine with Dr Adib on the balcony of his luxury Burleigh Heads flat.
Sporting a white baseball cap, matching white shorts and a casual red t-shirt, Ms Palaszczuk carried two glasses of wine onto the balcony overlooking the beach.
Dr Adib joined her shortly afterwards, and the couple shared a meal.
Sporting a white baseball cap, matching white shorts and a casual red t-shirt, Ms Palaszczuk carried two glasses of wine onto the balcony overlooking the beach
She was pictured for the first time since that announcement on December 27, enjoying a glass of wine with Dr Adib on the balcony of his luxury Burleigh Heads flat
The pair were also spotted on the balcony earlier in the day. They enjoyed the morning sun on the balcony before Ms Palaszczuk retreated inside to put on a change of clothes while Dr Adib vacuumed.
The sighting comes as Queensland battles wild weather conditions over the Christmas period, keeping Ms Palaszczuk’s replacement Steven Miles busy.
Mr Miles announced new disaster relief packages for Gold Coast locals impacted by wild storms, which have cost 10 people their lives across Australia so far this holiday season.
‘The thoughts of all Queenslanders are with those families who are grieving right now,’ he said.
The new premier also described the storms as unlike almost anything he had seen before, noting the clean up operation would cost ‘billions’.
A nine-year-old girl is among the victims, dying after she was swept into a storm drain after jumping a fence on Palara St, Rochedale South, at Logan in Brisbane’s south, about 6.30pm on Boxing Day.
Former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been spotted enjoying her newfound freedom with her partner, surgeon Reza Adib
They enjoyed the morning sun on the balcony before Ms Palaszczuk retreated inside to put on a change of clothes while Dr Adib vacuumed
Ms Palaszczuk announced she was stepping down from the Sunshine State’s top job on December 10, after nine years in the role
Paramedics tried desperately to revive the girl once she was located, but she could not be saved with her family requesting privacy at this ‘difficult time’.
Ms Palaszczuk’s decision to step down as premier came at a crucial time in the polls ahead of next year’s election.
Polling conducted by Redbridge in August showed Labor heading to a shellacking with the LNP leading by a 55 to 45 percent margin on a two-party preferred basis.
Her own popularity had also taken a hit, sparking rumours for months prior to her announcement that she would step down or be overthrown.
Ms Palaszczuk came under fire after after attending several red carpet events and overseas holidays with Dr Adib – earning her the nickname ‘part-time premier’.
While she rebuked such comments, her commitment to the job has also become an issue with some saying she ‘checked out’ from the role this year.
The pair were also spotted on the balcony earlier in the morning
Ms Palaszczuk came under fire after after attending several red carpet events and overseas holidays with Dr Adib – earning her the nickname ‘part-time premier’
The couple have been dating for more than two years. Dr Adib is a well-known surgeon, CEO of Brisbane Obesity Clinic and owner of a $6.25million mansion.
LNP leader David Crisafulli claimed bitter infighting had broken out in Labor’s ranks.
‘What’s really troubling is the government’s fighting themselves and they’re not fighting for Queenslanders. And that’s becoming more and more apparent,’ he said.
Deputy LNP leader Jarrod Bleijie even claimed information was leaked to him suggesting that Queensland ALP Deputy Leader Steven Miles and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman were getting ready to depose Ms Palaszczuk.
‘You see it in the parliament, Labor MPs speak to us, they’ve been leaking against the premier for all but 12 months now,’ Mr Bleijie told Sky News at the time.
The couple have been dating for more than two years. Dr Adib is a well-known surgeon, CEO of Brisbane Obesity Clinic and owner of a $6.25million mansion
Ms Palaszczuk’s decision to step down as premier came at a crucial time in the polls ahead of next year’s election