Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsThe Presiding Officers may appoint a person to act in the office of Secretary of a Department:
(a) if there is a vacancy in the office, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office; or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Secretary is suspended from office, is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.
Note: For rules that apply to acting appointments, see sections 33AB and 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 .