Commonwealth Numbered Acts

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT 1988 No. 86 of 1988 - SECT 17

17. (1) The Governor-General may appoint a Deputy President qualified to be
appointed as the President to act in the office of President:

   (a)  during 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 President is absent
        from duty or from Australia or is, for any other reason, unable to
        perform the duties of the office.

(2) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under
subsection (1) is not invalid 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 for the person to act had not arisen or had ceased.

(3) In this section:

"Deputy President" does not include a person acting as Deputy President.