United Australia Party chairman, Clive Palmer, 67, has cancelled a major speech at the National Press Club today after reportedly displaying “COVID-like” symptoms.
The Canberra venue advised of the last-minute cancellation via its website this morning.
“The NPC has just been informed that Clive Palmer has been directed not to travel due him showing Covid-like symptoms,” it stated.
Mr Palmer – who has stated he would run “the largest and most extensive political campaign” in Australian history – was due to give a speech at lunch time today, outlining the political party’s policies.
His planned address had already hit a hurdle prior to his illness today, with the ABC refusing to broadcast it live.
The editorial decision was believed to be due to concerns over Mr Palmer’s views about COVID-19 vaccines. The controversial political figure told an anti-lockdown rally late last year, “I’m not vaccinated and I don’t intend to be”.
Mr Palmer’s address at the National Press Club was instead scheduled to be aired on a 90-minute delay at 2pm.
The party’s leader, former Liberal member Craig Kelly, has publicly thrown his support behind anti-vaccination mandate rallies in Canberra during February.
