NewsBite

Clive Palmer shows up to court with breathing apparatus

LOOKING gaunt, Clive Palmer has showed up to a Brisbane court with a sick bag and an oxygen mask as doctor reveals disease.

A DAY after calling in sick to a scheduled court appearance, Clive Palmer has appeared on judge’s orders — pale, gaunt and clutching an oxygen mask.

The former federal MP was due to appear in the Federal Court in Brisbane on Tuesday to face questioning over the whereabouts of his nephew and Queensland Nickel director Clive Mensink.

But Mr Palmer appeared determined to show that Tuesday’s non-appearance was no sickie, going to great lengths to demonstrate his ailments were genuine.

Journalists at the court reported the dramatically shrunken mining magnate was lying on a couch with a pillow under his head prior to court convening.

As he walked into the building, he also claimed the medication doctors had him on left him unable to remember his all-important American Express card PIN, let alone the whereabouts of his absent, globetrotting nephew.

“This is not about Queensland Nickel, this is whether a citizen under medication, which are narcotics, which require to be signed off in an act, should be dragged into court to give evidence and whether he can give evidence, because I can’t remember my Amex PIN number for example,” he said.

“This is just a confirmation that this is a political witch-hunt.”

The Courier Mail reported Mr Palmer also showed up with a sick bag.

Mr Palmer was ordered to attend on Wednesday by Justice John Dowsett, who ruled he was well enough to be questioned.

Businessman and former federal MP Clive Palmer arrives at the Federal Court in Brisbane Picture: AAP
Businessman and former federal MP Clive Palmer arrives at the Federal Court in Brisbane Picture: AAP

A Gold Coast doctor, who has been treating Mr Palmer since March, told the court his patient had failed to attend earlier this week because he was suffering from pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas that is commonly caused by alcohol consumption or gallstones.

Treatment can include fasting, abstaining from alcohol, medication and surgery.

Mr Palmer told reporters he had taken the opioid Targin, also known as oxycodone, only hours earlier.

During cross-examination on Tuesday, Mr Palmer’s Gold Coast GP Reza Zabihi Madah told the court his patient had been diagnosed with gall stones previously and had been hospitalised in March.

He continued to take Targin, Dr Madah said, adding later that Mr Palmer had previously become confused after taking the drug.

Mr Palmer has sported a sick bag and breathing apparatus.
Mr Palmer has sported a sick bag and breathing apparatus.

Justice Dowsett denied an application by the former Fairfax MP’s lawyers to adjourn proceedings, instead ordering him to attend.

Mr Palmer was initially called to answer questions about the whereabouts of Mr Mensink, however his lawyers have argued such questions are beyond the scope of examination powers. Warrants for Mr Mensink’s arrest were issued earlier this year after he failed to attend hearings over Queensland Nickel’s collapse, leaving almost 800 people out of work and $300 million in debts.

Mr Palmer has shed nearly 60 kilograms since leaving politics and has credited healthy eating program Lite n Easy with teaching him portion control.

Clive Palmer in September last year. Picture: Jono Searle.
Clive Palmer in September last year. Picture: Jono Searle.
Mr Palmer has lost nearly 60kgs since leaving politics.
Mr Palmer has lost nearly 60kgs since leaving politics.
Read related topics:Brisbane

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/clive-palmer-shows-up-to-court-with-breathing-apparatus/news-story/4c489251e1d0222c21c2328d9503bfbb