31Authorised officers

31 Authorised officers

(1)  The Secretary may appoint one or more of the following persons to be an authorised officer:

(a) a State Service officer or State Service employee;

(b) an employee of a council;

(c) an employee of the Commonwealth or of another State;

(d) an employee of an entity prescribed for the purposes of this section;

(e) a person who has entered into a contract, or who is employed by an organisation that has entered into a contract, with the Crown to perform a function under this Act.

(2)  A State Service officer, State Service employee, employee of a council, employee of the Commonwealth or of another State, or an employee of an organisation referred to in subsection (1)(d) or (e) , may hold the office of authorised officer in conjunction with that employment.

(3)  The Secretary may only appoint a person as an authorised officer under subsection (1) if the Secretary is satisfied that the person –

(a) is a suitable person to be appointed as an authorised officer; and

(b) holds the qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience to perform the functions of an authorised officer; and

(c) holds any qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience that are prescribed for the purposes of this section.

(4)  The Minister may enter into an agreement with the relevant Minister of the Commonwealth, or another State, in relation to the performance of the functions of an authorised officer by an employee of the Commonwealth, or the other State, appointed under subsection (1) .

(5)  An appointment under subsection (1) may be –

(a) on such terms and conditions as are specified in the instrument of appointment; and

(b) for such period specified in the instrument of appointment or, if no time is so specified, until such time as the appointment is revoked.