(1) The Minister may appoint a person to act as Director - General:
(a) during a vacancy in the office;
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Director - General is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any other reason, unable to perform the functions of the office of Director - General.
Note: For rules that apply to acting appointments, see section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 .
(8) Section 17B applies in relation to a person appointed under this section in like manner as it applies in relation to the Director - General.