(1) The Minister may appoint a person to act as the Inspector-General:

(a)

during a vacancy in the office of Inspector-General (whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office); or

(b)

during any period, or during all periods, when the Inspector-General is absent from duty or from Australia, or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

(2) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under an appointment is not invalid merely because:

(a)

the occasion for the appointment had not arisen; or

(b)

there was a defect or irregularity in connection with the appointment; or

(c)

the appointment had ceased to have effect; or

(d)

the occasion to act had not arisen or had ceased.