Love boat cruising proves guilt-free for Clive Palmer

Clive Palmer says he is guilty only of loving his wife and children as he defended taking a Mediterranean cruise.

Clive Palmer says he is guilty only of loving his wife and children as he defended taking his family and friends on a luxurious Mediterranean cruise.

The former federal MP — whose collapsed Queensland Nickel owes nearly $70 million to federal government for covering the redundancy entitlements of sacked workers — issued two statements from the high seas yesterday, declaring he was taking a “well-deserved holiday”.

Mr Palmer and a gaggle of relatives, friends and employees are aboard Holland America’s enormous MS Westerdam, sailing from Barcelona to several Spanish ports, Italy and Croatia. The 2000-guest ship will dock at the Spanish island of Majorca as early as this week, as part of the 24-day voyage.

Mr Palmer drew comparisons to controversial one-time ­Majorca resident Christopher Skase when he turned up to the Federal Court last month with a breathing device and sick bag.

North Queensland’s largest private employer, Queensland Nickel failed last year, leaving creditors $300m out of pocket and almost 800 refinery staff jobless. State Treasurer Curtis Pitt said Queenslanders would be “upset and disappointed” to see Mr Palmer gallivanting overseas “when people are trying to get their lives back together”, a sentiment echoed by federal Employment Minister Michaelia Cash.

In statement yesterday, Mr Palmer said: “My companies continue to employ hundreds of Australians.” In another he said: “If it a crime to love your wife and children to spend time with them then I am guilty (sic).”