Clive Palmer spends handful of hours in Parliament after being elected THE man who promised to be full-time MP was yesterday 3087km from Canberra and 3611km from his Sunshine Coast electorate on the final day of the new Parliament's first sitting week. Clive Palmer has placed his backside on the green leather seats of the House of Representatives for just a handful of hours since Parliament opened last week. Is Clive Palmer for real? Yesterday Perth played host to the mining magnate, who was again threatening legal action against the Australian Electoral Commission as he attempted to shore up his party's position in the Senate. Since the 44th Parliament opened last Tuesday, the member for Fairfax could not be accused of overstaying his welcome in the House of Representatives. He sent a staff member to take notes on his Parliament House induction before arriving in the national capital last Monday week, telling journalists lunch was his priority. Palmer lasts less than half a day in Question Time On Tuesday he addressed the National Press Club in a speech inspired by former American President John F. Kennedy, before joining colleagues in the Lower House on Wednesday. On Tuesday he managed half a Question Time and yesterday he skipped most of Parliament to head for Sydney in his private jet. The rookie MP has stoutly defended his decision to circulate beyond the Australian Capital Territory. He points out he won't even be asking a question until his maiden speech due when parliament returns in the week starting December 2. As his piece de resistance, Mr Palmer will today hold a press conference at his Coolum Beach Resort. The subject matter: "Summary of first sitting in Parliament."