Perhaps Annastacia Palaszczuk can be forgiven for allowing herself some rest and relaxation after rupturing her Achilles tendon in a freak accident.
The former Queensland leader, dubbed by her critics as a “part-time prime minister”, was seen putting her crutches aside, putting her feet up and drinking a glass of champagne on the balcony of her surgeon boyfriend’s apartment in Burleigh Heads, on Saturday.
Ms Palaszczuk, 54, was rushed to hospital more than a week ago after slipping on tiles or falling down the stairs in her boyfriend Dr Reza Adib’s luxury unit, the TV presenter revealed last week. 4BC radio, Peter Gleeson.
But her torn Achilles tendon seemed to be slowly recovering as she appeared to be limping without the aid of her moon boot.
Mrs Palaszczuk, who was wearing a light pink shirt and had her hair up, left her crutches propped against the table and enjoyed some snacks and a glass of champagne with a colleague on Saturday afternoon.
Former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was seen putting her crutches aside, putting her feet up and drinking a glass of champagne on the balcony of her surgeon boyfriend’s apartment in Burleigh Heads on Saturday (pictured).
Ms Palaszczuk, who was wearing a light pink shirt and had her hair up, left her crutches propped up against the table and enjoyed some snacks and a glass of champagne with a female companion (pictured).
At one point, Ms Palaszczuk was seen removing her glasses in an attempt to read her phone screen with a stern expression on her face.
Perhaps the former frontline politician was reading about her imminent appearance in the ABC documentary series Nemesis, which chronicles the political stabs at the turbulent Coalition Government between 2013 and 2022.
The former Labor prime minister will appear in the third and final episode of the series which will air on Monday night.
Ms Palaszczuk will recall how she hung up on Scott Morrison in September 2020 when she felt “extremely threatened” by the then Prime Minister over a request to grant someone an exemption from Queensland’s strict Covid travel restrictions.
“I got quite angry and then I got quite angry because it’s actually very disrespectful… and I think it also expresses the way he can treat women,” Ms Palaszczuk told the ABC.
On Sunday, Palaszczuk returned to the balcony, this time putting both feet on a chair and enjoying a moment of quiet contemplation before Dr Adib came out to chat with her.
He seemed to be in great spirits despite his injury, which can take four to six months to fully heal.
It is unclear if he will need surgery to repair the tendon.
It is understood Ms Palaszczuk and her partner returned home a fortnight ago after a holiday in Canada.
The freak accident comes just over two months after Ms Palaszczuk fought back tears as she declared she was stepping away from politics in a shock announcement.
At one point, Ms Palaszczuk could be seen removing her glasses in an attempt to read her phone screen, with a stern expression on her face.
Palaszczuk went public with their relationship in 2021, ending months of speculation
The 54-year-old plans to recover at her partner’s palatial apartment in Burleigh Heads. Adib also owns a $6.25 million mansion in Indooroopilly.
The half-acre plot bought by the surgeon in 2010 has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, views of the Brisbane River and an infinity pool.
The mansion was inspired by traditional 14th-century Italian villas and features imposing arches, courtyards and gigantic stone pillars in the garden.
The couple have been dating Dr Adib, a well-known surgeon who is also the chief executive of Brisbane Obesity Clinic, for more than two years.
Palaszczuk went public with their relationship on September 3, 2021, ending months of speculation about the relationship.
On Sunday, Palaszczuk returned to the balcony, this time putting both feet on a chair and enjoying a moment of quiet contemplation.
He seemed to be in great spirits despite his injury, which can take four to six months to fully heal.
Dr Adib (pictured) does not have a strong social media presence and had rarely been in the news before his relationship with Ms Palaszczuk.
The former prime minister, who was leading her state through the Covid pandemic when she first confirmed the relationship, described Dr Adib as a “beautiful man”.
In August 2023, the couple went on an official vacation to Italy, and the quiet vacation was interrupted by paparazzi who located the couple in Naples.
In a statement on social media at the time, Palaszczuk asked the media to respect her privacy while she was on leave for two weeks.
‘I’m on leave. “Everyone has the right to leave,” she stated.
Ms Palaszczuk referred to the trip to Italy during her resignation speech in December as the last straw that sparked her decision to resign.
Palaszczuk and Dr Adib attend Bill Hayden’s state funeral in November
“I started thinking about this when I was trying to go on vacation with my partner and everyone deserves a break,” she said.
Dr Adib does not have a strong social media presence and had rarely been in the news before his relationship with Ms Palaszczuk.
On March 16, the same day as the local government elections, there will be a by-election for Ms Palaszczuk’s seat of Inala in Brisbane’s southwest.
The successful candidate will be the first member of Inala State in more than 31 years without the surname Palaszczuk.
Annastacia Palaszczuk represented Inala since September 2006 and was preceded by her father Henry Palaszczuk, who represented the electorate since 1992.
Inala is currently considered Queensland’s safest seat and Labor is expected to swing against it in next month’s by-election.