(1) The Minister may, in writing, appoint a person to act as the Commissioner:
(a) during a vacancy in the office; or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Commissioner is absent or unable to perform the duties of the position.
(2) A person appointed to act as the Commissioner during a vacancy in the office must not continue to act for more than 12 months after the vacancy occurred.
(3) If a person is appointed under subsection (1)(b) and that position becomes vacant while the person is acting, the person may continue to act in that office until:
(a) the Minister otherwise directs; or
(b) the office ceases to be vacant; or
(c) the person resigns their appointment; or
(d) the day 12 months after the day the vacancy occurred.
(4) A person may resign an appointment under subsection (1) by written notice given to the Minister.
(5) A notice of resignation under subsection (4) has effect when accepted by the Minister.
(6) The validity of anything done by a person acting as Commissioner under subsection (1) must not be called in question by reason of the following:
(a) any defect or irregularity in or in connection with the appointment;
(b) that the occasion for the appointment had not arisen;
(c) that the appointment had ceased to have effect.