149Acting appointments

#### 149 Acting appointments Appointment to act during vacancy (1) The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint a person to act as the Principal Member, for a specified period of not more than 12 months, during a vacancy in the office of the Principal Member, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office. (2) The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint a person to act as a member of the Advisory Council other than the Principal Member, for a specified period of not more than 150 days, during a vacancy in the office of a member of the Advisory Council other than the Principal Member, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office. (2A) The Minister must consult the States and Territories about an appointment under subsection (2). Appointment to act during absence etc. (3) The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint a person to act as a member of the Advisory Council during any period, or during all periods, when a member of the Advisory Council: (a) is absent from duty or from Australia; or (b) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office. > Note 1: The Minister must tell the Ministerial Council as soon as practicable after the Minister appoints a person to act as the Principal Member or another member of the Advisory Council: see subsection 176(2). > Note 2: For rules that apply to acting appointments, see sections 33AB and 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.