Clive Palmer ordered to front federal court

Clive Palmer has been ordered to appear in the Federal Court on today after a judge ruled he was well enough to be questioned about the whereabouts of his globe-trotting nephew and Queensland Nickel director Clive Mensink.

His scheduled appearance comes after Mr Palmer was a no-show in the Brisbane court yesterday, with ill-health given as his excuse.

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

Justice John 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 his nephew and Queensland Nickel director Clive 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.