24Acting appointments

24 Acting appointments

(1) During any period when:

(a) the office of Chairperson is vacant (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or

(b) the Chairperson is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office;

the Deputy Chairperson shall act as Chairperson. (2) The Minister may appoint an appointed member (other than the government member) to act as Deputy Chairperson:

(a) during a vacancy in the office of Deputy Chairperson (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or

(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Deputy Chairperson is acting as Chairperson or is unable, for any reason, to attend meetings of the Board.

(3) The Minister may appoint a person to act as an appointed member:

(a) during a vacancy in the office of the appointed member (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or

(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the appointed member is acting as Deputy Chairperson or is unable, for any reason, to attend meetings of the Board.

(4) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under this section is not invalid merely because:

(a) the occasion for the appointment had not arisen;

(b) there was a defect or irregularity in connection with the appointment;

(c) the appointment had ceased to have effect; or

(d) the occasion to act had not arisen or had ceased.

(5) Nothing in this section excludes the application of section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 in relation to appointments made under this section.