Clive Palmer calls in sick to Federal Court

Nine days before Clive Palmer called in sick to the Federal Court, he was boasting on television about his weight loss.

Former politician Clive Palmer was due to turn up at the Federal Court in Brisbane.

Nine days before Clive Palmer called in sick to the Federal Court today, he was boasting on national television about his incredible weight loss and good health.

In a live interview with Channel 7’s Sunrise on May 1 – to be played to the court this afternoon as part of a cross-examination of Mr Palmer’s doctor - the former politician said he’d lost 58kg and was embracing a lifestyle change.

Great to have @CliveFPalmer share this morning how and why he's dropped A THIRD of his weight! #sun7 https://t.co/yCOC4klQ9w

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) May 1, 2017

“My blood pressure now is 125 over 70 and my resting heart rate, it’s about 55,” Mr Palmer told David Koch and Samantha Armytage.

“From that point of view I’ve got a very good cardiovascular system, I’ve had a stress test and I’m in the top one or two per cent in the country.”

But today, Mr Palmer’s lawyers told the Federal Court he was too sick to testify about the whereabouts of his missing nephew Clive Mensink, as part of a public examination into the collapse of Mr Palmer’s Queensland Nickel refinery.

A Gold Coast doctor has sworn an affidavit, describing Mr Palmer’s “self-reporting (of) pain” relating to an unnamed medical condition.

The medico has been ordered to submit to cross-examination this afternoon by barrister Tom Sullivan QC, for special purpose liquidators PPB Advisory.

He will be asked questions about the Sunrise tape, in which Mr Palmer attributes his slimmed-down 95kg frame to discipline, a change in lifestyle and diet, and swearing off alcohol and soft drink.

Mr Palmer — who has been busily tweeting political memes about Bill Shorten and Star Wars this morning — was due to turn up at the Federal Court in Brisbane, as part of the public examination into the collapse of his Queensland Nickel company.

pic.twitter.com/nBKdRS3Y8E

— Clive Palmer (@CliveFPalmer) May 8, 2017

Barrister Tom Sullivan QC, for PPB Advisory the special purpose liquidators, said he wanted to cross-examine the doctor.

Mr Boe said the doctor’s affidavit was based on Mr Palmer “self-reporting pain,” and related to an unnamed medical condition and the effect of medication.

Justice Dowsett noted that the doctor didn’t give specifics.

“He doesn’t say what it is about the court process that was going to make it difficult for him to participate,” Justice Dowsett said.

“I don’t understand why (Mr Palmer’s condition) became so florid shortly before his (scheduled court) appearance.”

The doctor will be cross-examined by liquidators in the Federal Court this afternoon.

Queensland Nickel collapsed last year, costing 800 workers their jobs and creditors $300m.

On Sunday, Mr Palmer was expected to attend a glittering dinner in Boston for the JFK Library, to honour former United States president Barack Obama with a political courage award. However, Mr Palmer was absent.