(1) Where there is, or is expected to be, a vacancy in the office of Chairperson, the Governor - General may appoint a person to act as Chairperson until the filling of the vacancy.
Note: For rules that apply to acting appointments, see section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 .
(2) Where the Chairperson is absent from duty or from Australia:
(a) if there are 2 Deputy Chairpersons available to act as Chairperson, the Minister may appoint 1 of them to act as Chairperson during the absence of the Chairperson; or
(b) if there is only 1 Deputy Chairperson available to act as Chairperson, that Deputy Chairperson is to act as Chairperson during the absence of the Chairperson; or
(c) if there are no Deputy Chairpersons or none of the Deputy Chairpersons are available to act as Chairperson, the Minister may appoint a member of the Commission to act as Chairperson during the absence of the Chairperson, but any such appointment ceases to have effect if a person is appointed as a Deputy Chairperson or a Deputy Chairperson becomes available to act as Chairperson.
Note: For rules that apply to persons acting as the Chairperson, see section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 .
(3) A person acting as Chairperson shall act in that capacity on such terms and conditions as the Governor - General determines and has all the powers and duties, and shall perform all the functions, conferred on the Chairperson by this Act.