Clive Palmer's doctor has been called to give evidence after the businessman claimed he was too sick to show up for a Brisbane court date.

The former Fairfax MP had been due to face questions about the whereabouts of his jet-setting nephew Clive Mensink in the Federal Court on Tuesday but failed to show up.

His barrister Andrew Boe told Justice John Dowsett his client was too unwell to appear and a doctor had confirmed his sickness in a sworn affidavit on Monday night.

Mr Boe also argued questions to be put to Mr Palmer relating to the whereabouts of Mr Mensink were "one step further removed of the scope of examination power".