Clive Palmer not seen in his electorate in months

CLIVE Palmer has been declared missing in action in his electorate, where he has not been spotted in almost seven months.

Clive Palmer MP proposing a Bill that will prevent Australian authorities disclosing information to all foreign countries in cases that could lead to the death penalty, Brisbane. Photographer: Liam Kidston

CLIVE Palmer has been declared missing in action in his Sunshine Coast electorate, where he has not been spotted in almost seven months.

Political rival Ted O’Brien, whom Mr Palmer defeated to claim the seat of Fairfax, said the MP had not made a public appearance since the Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show in June.

“I’ve never seen him and I’m all the time at business and community events,” said Mr O’Brien, the LNP’s candidate for Fairfax.

“Community groups get excited about Palmer coming to an event and they advertise and he doesn’t show up or he won’t respond.

“I’m doorknocking every day and I’ve never met anybody who has said they’ve seen him ever. To my knowledge he doesn’t reside in his electorate. His real home is on the Gold Coast and always has been.”

The LNP candidate said he had become the de facto local federal member as constituents turned to him for help after being ignored by Mr Palmer.

“Many of the constituents have tried to get assistance from Palmer without success.

“They have either not had a response or not even had ­acknowledgment.”

Coolum residents surveyed by The Sunday Mail also indicated that they had never sighted their local member on home turf.

Yaroomba resident Jan Crossland, 65, said she heard he had been spotted dining at the Coolum Surf Club but no one dared approach him. “He claims to live at the resort — this is his electorate — he’s supposed to live within cooee. I’ve never seen him,” she said.

Mr O’Brien said Mr Palmer had not kept his promise that he would deliver for the Sunshine Coast. “He did have enormous power when he was first elected, but the Sunshine Coast got nothing for it.”