(1) If there is, or is
expected to be, a vacancy in the office of President or the President is, or
is expected to be, absent or, for any other reason, unable to perform the
duties of office, a person may be appointed in accordance with this section to
act in the office of President.
(2) The appointment is
to be for a term not exceeding 6 months specified in the instrument of
appointment and it may be made —
(a) by
the Governor; or
(b) if
the appointment is for a term not exceeding 3 months and the Minister has
not previously appointed the person under this section, by the Minister.
(3) A person cannot be
appointed to act in the office of President unless the person is a Judge of
the Supreme Court.
(4) Before appointing
a person, or recommending that the Governor appoint a person, to act in the
office of President, the Minister is to consult the Chief Justice of Western
Australia.
(5) A person’s
eligibility for reappointment or the term for which a person may be
reappointed is not affected by an earlier appointment.