21Acting appointments

21 Acting appointments

(1) The Deputy Chairperson or a person acting as Deputy Chairperson under subsection (2) is to act as the Chairperson:

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

(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Chairperson is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

(2) The Minister may appoint a member to act as the Deputy Chairperson:

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

(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Deputy Chairperson is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

(3) A person acting under this section during a vacancy is not to continue to act for more than 12 months. (4) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under this section is not invalid on the ground that:

(a) the occasion for the person’s appointment had not arisen; or

(b) there is a defect or irregularity in connection with the person’s appointment; or

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

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