(1)  The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette , declare an event or class of events specified in the order to be a special event for the purposes of this Act.

(2)  Such an order may be made in relation to any sporting, cultural or other event that –

(a) is expected to take place or is taking place in the State and will, in the opinion of the Minister, attract a significant number of participants from other countries; or

(b) is expected to take place or is taking place in another State, or in a Territory, and will, in the opinion of the Minister, attract a significant number of participants from other countries, some of whom are likely to come to this State to prepare for the event.

(3)  The order is to specify a period or periods in which an exemption under this Act has effect in respect of a special event.

(4)  The exemption period for a special event may include any period or periods before or after the special event takes place.

(5)  The order may require notice to be given, to a person or body specified in the order, of a person's intention to provide health care services in the State to a visitor and in such a case the order is to specify a procedure for giving that notice.

(6)  The order may, in its operation in relation to any matter dealt with in the order, apply generally or apply differently according to matters, limitations or restrictions, whether as to time, circumstance or otherwise, specified in the order.

(7)  An order under this section is not a statutory rule within the meaning of the Rules Publication Act 1953 .