Clive Palmer cancels Nation Press Club address due to Covid-19 like symptoms

Australian mining billionaire and political aspirant Clive Plamer has cancelled an address to the National Press Club due to “flu-like symptoms.”

Palmer was due to deliver a nationally televised address on Tuesday, February 22.

The National Press Club advised of the last-minute cancellation on its website on Tuesday morning.

“The NPC has just been informed that Clive Palmer has been directed not to travel due him showing Covid-like symptoms,” it said.

Palmer was scheduled to give his speech at 12:30 pm about where he believed the Australian economy is heading, outlining the financial policies of the United Australian Party (UAP).

Palmer’s address has been riddled with controversy after it was revealed that the ABC had chosen not to broadcast it live- as it usually does for speeches at the National Press Club.

According to The Australian, the dedication was reportedly due to concerns over Palmer’s view on the Covid-19 vaccine.

The Australian also reports that earlier this year, the billionaire said he would run the “largest and most extensive political campaign” in the nation’s history.

Back in November 2021, Palmer had infamously proclaimed his thoughts on the vaccination at an anti-lockdown rally: “I’m not vaccinated and I don’t intend to be.”

“These people are concerned about their rights and their health. This matter is far more important than politics. The State Government wants to play politics, but politicians don’t face the daily responsibilities that our front-line workers do,” he said.

He had also called employers and heads of heads of government to stop putting practices such as the ‘no jab, no job’ policy in place after concerns were raised by employees.

“These coercive measures are causing untold levels of anxiety, stress and financial hardship to innocent Australians.”

The 67-yer-old is the leading UAP’s Queensland Senate ticket,  nine years after he was elected a one-time lower house MP to Fairfax’s Sunshine Coast seat.