Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2004A03678:body:0:p24
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2004A03678
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 58540–61218

of National Convener, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office; or
     (b) during any period, or during all periods, when the National Convener is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the National Convener's office.
"(2) A person appointed to act during a vacancy in the office of National Convener shall not continue to act for more than 12 months.
"(3) The Minister may appoint a person to act as a full-time senior member during any period, or during all periods, when the member is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the functions of the member's office.
"(4) The Minister may appoint a person to act as a part-time senior member during any period, or during all periods, when the member is, for any reason, unavailable to perform the duties of the member's office.
"(5) Where a person has been appointed under subsection (1), (3) or (4), the Minister may direct that the person shall continue to act in the appointment after the normal terminating event occurs.
"(6) A direction under subsection (5) shall specify the period during which the person may continue to act in the appointment.
"(7) The period specified under subsection (6) may be specified by reference to the happening of a particular event or the existence of particular circumstances.
"(8) A direction under subsection (5):
     (a) shall be given only if there is a pending review or other special circumstance justifying the giving of the direction; and
     (b) may only be given before the normal terminating event occurs.
"(9) A person continuing to act under a direction under subsection (5) shall not continue to act for more than 12 months after the normal terminating event occurs.
"(10) Where the Social Security Appeals Tribunal as constituted for the purposes of a review includes a person acting or purporting to act under this section, any decision of, or any direction given or any other act done by, the Tribunal as so constituted is not invalid merely because:
     (a) the occasion for the appointment had not arisen;
     (b) there was a defect or irregularity in connection with the appointment;
     (c) the appointment had ceased to have effect; or
     (d) the occasion to act had not arisen or had ceased.

"(11) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under an appointment under this section is not invalid merely because:
     (a) the occasion for the appointment had not arisen;
     (b) there was a defect or irregularity in connection with the appointment;
     (c) the appointment had ceased to have effect; or
     (d) the occasion