23Acting chief executive officer

23 Acting chief executive officer

(1)  In this section, absent means –

(a) is absent from duty; or

(b) is absent from Australia; or

(c) is otherwise unable to perform the responsibilities of the office of chief executive officer; or

(d) has died, resigned or been removed from office and a new chief executive officer has not been appointed.

(2)  A person, other than the chairperson, may be appointed to act as chief executive officer during any or every period during which the chief executive officer is absent.

(3)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Act applies to the appointment of a person under subsection (2) as if the appointment were the appointment of the chief executive officer.

(4)  While a person appointed under subsection (2) is acting as chief executive officer, that person is taken to be the chief executive officer.