Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated Acts(1) The Attorney - General may , by written instrument, appoint a member or a person who is qualified to be a member to act as President:
(a) during a vacancy in the office of President, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office; or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the President is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any other reason, unable to perform the functions of the office.
Note: For rules that apply to acting appointments, see section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 .
(2) The appointment may be expressed to have effect:
(a) for a period specified in the instrument of appointment; or
(b) in the circumstances specified in the instrument of appointment (including whenever the President is on leave, for example).
Note: For rules that apply to acting appointments, see section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 .
(3) If the Attorney - General appoints a person who is not a member, the person is taken to be a member for the period of the appointment.