Missing in Action: Clive Palmer spent the least time in Parliament of any Federal MP last year

CLIVE Palmer has claimed the title of most absent politician for the second year in a row, attending fewer Parliamentary sittings than any other MP.

Question Time in the House of Representatives in Parliament House Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage

CLIVE Palmer has claimed the title of most absent politician for the second year in a row, attending fewer Parliamentary sittings last year than any other MP.

Attendance records for the House of Representatives show Mr Palmer turned up to just 54 per cent of sitting days in 2015 — a record low for the Fairfax MP who last year was in attendance just 64 per cent of the time.

Trade Minister Andrew Robb was the second most absent MP last year, attending just 45 out of 75 sitting days, compared to Mr Palmer’s 41.

However, the Minister’s portfolio frequently involves overseas travel and MPs are allowed to be away from the House on parliamentary or government business.

Labor MPs Kate Ellis and Amanda Rishworth and Small Business Minister Kelly O’Dwyer were in Parliament for 47, 48 and 52 days respectively, but all three women gave birth to children in 2015 and were granted leave.

Clive Palmer was not at many sittings days in the House of Representatives last year. Picture: Gary Ramage

Independent MP Bob Katter, who like Mr Palmer is from Queensland, showed up to Parliament on 52 days last year.

In 2014 he attended 65 out of 76 sitting days.

In total, Mr Palmer has skipped 99 of the 166 days this Parliament has sat since 2013.

Quizzed by journalists about his poor attendance last year, Mr Palmer reportedly claimed to be the country’s hardest working politician.

And said he sometimes decided not to show up because of political tactics.

The self-proclaimed billionaire, who receives a $198,000 salary as an MP, has come under fire over the past days for refusing to use his personal wealth to bail out employees of his nickel refinery, which went into voluntary administration last week.

More than 230 workers were sacked from Queensland Nickel just days before administrators were called in.

It’s also since been revealed the company donated around $20 million to Mr Palmer’s political party The Palmer United Party.

Assistant Science Minister Karen Andrews said earlier this week Mr Palmer should resign before Parliament resumes on Tuesday and focus on his business interests.

News Corp contacted the press secretaries for each MP listed above.

Question Time in the House of Representatives in Parliament House Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage

Calls to Mr Palmer’s spokesman were not returned.

Both Ms Ellis and Ms Richworth’s spokespeople confirmed their approved maternity leave was their only absence during 2015.

A spokesman for the Trade Minister said: “Mr Robb’s trade and investment role involves considerable overseas travel and his absences were a result of this.”

The attendance records show 53 politicians attended all 75 sitting days last year.

They included Liberal MPs Sussan Ley, Bronwyn Bishop, Bruce Billson and Wyatt Roy.

Some of the Labor Party’s most present MPs included Terri Butler, Jason Clare, Pat Conroy and Andrew Leigh.

Independents Andrew Wilkie and Cathy McGowan also attended every session.