Commonwealth Numbered Regulations

1991 No. 71 PATENTS REGULATIONS - REG 20.43

20.43 (1) The Minister may in writing appoint a person to act as the
Disciplinary Tribunal:

   (a)  during a vacancy in the office, whether or not an appointment has been
        previously made to the office; or

   (b)  during any period, or during all periods, when the holder of the
        office is, or is expected to be, absent from duty or from Australia or
        is, for any reason, unable to perform the functions of the office; but
        a person appointed to act during a vacancy must not continue to act
        for more than 12 months.

(2) A copy of the instrument of appointment must be published in the Official
Journal.

(3) The Minister:

   (a)  may terminate the appointment at any time; and

   (b)  is to terminate the appointment if the person appointed fails, without
        reasonable excuse, to disclose a conflict of interest in accordance
        with regulation 20.45 "(disclosure of interest").

(4) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under the
appointment is not invalid only because:

   (a)  the need 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 need to act had not arisen or had ceased.