11Acting Commissioner

11 Acting Commissioner

(1)  In this section, the Commissioner is absent if he or she –

(a) is absent from duty; or

(b) is absent from Australia; or

(c) is suspended from the office of Health Complaints Commissioner; or

(d) is otherwise unable to perform the functions of that office.

(2)  The Minister may appoint a person to act as Commissioner during any or every period during which the Commissioner is absent.

(3)  While a person appointed under subsection (2) is acting as Commissioner –

(a) that person is taken to be the Commissioner; and

(b) this Act and any other Act applies to that person as if he or she were the Commissioner.