Annastacia Palaszczuk has been spotted hobbling on crutches and wearing a moon boot after tearing her Achilles tendon in a freak accident.
The former Queensland premier was rushed to hospital last week after slipping on tiles or falling down the stairs, 4BC radio host Peter Gleeson revealed on Monday.
The accident is said to have occurred at the luxury Burleigh Heads unit owned by the 54-year-old’s surgeon friend, Dr Reza Adib.
Ms Palaszczuk, who wore a light floral dress and statement earrings, was pictured resting her injured foot on a chair as she relaxed on the balcony.
Her crutches were seen leaning on the back of her chair as she enjoyed a glass of white wine while relaxing with Dr Adib and a female companion.
Annastacia Palaszczuk was pictured lifting her foot as she enjoyed a glass of wine with her partner on the balcony of his unit after a nasty fall last week
The former Queensland premier was seen with her foot on a chair in Burleigh Heads
Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured with partner Reza Abid) tore her Achilles tendon in a freak accident
The group also enjoyed a bottle of San Pellegrino water and snacks from a tray.
At one point, Ms Palaszczuk was seen getting up from her cushioned chair and using her crutches to leave the balcony without assistance.
Despite her injury, which will take four to six months to fully heal, she seemed in good spirits.
It is understood Ms Palaszczuk and her partner returned home after a holiday in Canada 10 days ago.
The freak accident comes eight weeks after Ms Palaszczuk fought back tears as she declared her retirement from politics in a shock announcement.
“There’s a chance she might still need surgery and it’s a terrible story,” Gleeson said 4 BC listeners on Monday.
“Whatever your political beliefs and thoughts about former Prime Minister Palaszczuk, no one would wish such an injury on anyone.
‘Hopefully she recovers quickly.’
The 54-year-old plans to recover at her partner’s palatial Burleigh Heads apartment. Mr Adib also owns a $6.25 million mansion in Indooroopilly.
The half-acre plot, which the surgeon purchased in 2010, has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, views of the Brisbane River and an infinity pool.
Inspired by traditional Italian villas from the 14th century, the mansion features towering arches, courtyards and giant stone pillars in the garden.
The couple has been in a relationship with Dr. for more than two years. Adib, a well-known surgeon who is also CEO of the Brisbane Obesity Clinic.
Ms Palaszczuk and her surgeon friend Dr Reza Adib were accompanied by a female companion
The group also enjoyed a bottle of San Pelegrino water and snacks from a tray
The group enjoyed a glass of white wine and some snacks as they relaxed on the balcony
Ms Palaszczuk was seen using her crutches to leave the balcony without assistance
Ms Palaszczuk made her relationship public on September 3, 2021, ending months of speculation that the pair were dating.
The former prime minister, who was steering her state through the Covid pandemic when she first confirmed the relationship, described Dr Adib as a “wonderful man”.
In August 2023, the couple went on an official holiday to Italy, with the peaceful holiday interrupted by paparazzi who tracked the couple down in Naples.
Ms Palaszczuk asked the media in a statement on social media at the time to respect her privacy while she was on leave for two weeks.
‘I’m on leave. “Everyone has the right to leave,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk called the trip to Italy the final straw that led to the decision to resign during her resignation speech in December.
“I thought of this when I wanted to go on holiday with my partner, and everyone deserves a break,” she said.
Healing a torn Achilles tendon can take between four and six months. The photo shows Annastacia Palaszczuk with a female companion
Dr. Adib does not have a strong social media presence and had rarely been in the news before his relationship with Ms Palaszczuk.
By-elections for the seat of Palaszczuk, Inala, in Brisbane’s south-west, will take place on March 16, the same day as the local government elections.
The successful candidate will be the first Inala state member in more than 31 years not to have the surname Palaszczuk.
Annastacia Palaszczuk represented Inala from September 2006 and was preceded by her father Henry Palaszczuk, who represented the electorate from 1992.
Inala is currently considered the safest seat in Queensland, with Labor set to face a blow in next month’s by-election.
Ms Palaszczuk went public with her relationship in 2021, ending months of speculation