Australian Capital Territory Numbered Acts Australian Capital Territory Numbered Acts8. Sections 30 to 34 (inclusive) of the Principal Act are repealed and the following sections substituted:
“30. (1) Where—
(a) a person employed to perform the duties of an office of Chief Executive is absent from duty or is, for any other reason unable to perform the duties of that office; or
(b) no person is employed to perform the duties of such an office;
an Executive, an officer or another person may be engaged by a contract under this section to temporarily perform the duties of that office.
“(2) The parties to a contract under this section shall be the Territory and the person engaged.
“(3) A contract under this section shall—
(a) be in writing;
(b) specify the period during which the person engaged is to perform the duties of the office; and
(c) be signed by or on behalf of each party.
“(4) The period specified pursuant to paragraph (3) (b) shall not exceed 6 months.
“(5) Subject to this Act, the employment of a person engaged under this section shall be governed by the contract by which he or she is engaged.
“(6) Where a contract under this section is made with an Executive, the contract may vary the terms and conditions of the current contract with the Executive under section 72.
“(7) Where a contract under this section is made with an officer, the contract may vary the terms and conditions of employment that would otherwise be applicable to the officer under this Act.
“(8) A contract under this section may be terminated at any time by one party giving notice in writing to the other party.
“(9) A person is not entitled to any compensation for the termination of a contract under subsection (8).
“(10) Subject to subsection (11), a contract under this section may be varied at any time by an agreement in writing between the parties.
“(11) A variation of a contract under this section that extends the period of employment of the person engaged to more than 9 months is void.
“(12) Subsections 65 (1), (3) and (4) do not apply in relation to the engagement of a person under this section.
“31. (1) A contract, or a variation of a contract, under section 28 or 30 shall be executed on behalf of the Territory by the Chief Minister.
“(2) If an office to which a contract under section 28 or 30 relates, or will relate, is an office in an administrative unit for which the Chief Minister has allocated responsibility to another Minister, the Chief Minister shall, in entering the contract, or negotiating a variation of the contract, have regard to the advice of that other Minister.
“31A. The Chief Minister shall cause a copy of—
(a) each contract made under section 28 or 30; and
(b) each instrument by which such a contract is varied;
to be laid before the Legislative Assembly within 6 sitting days after the day on which the contract or variation is made.
“32. The engagement of a person under section 28 or 30 to perform the duties of an office of Chief Executive is not invalid, and shall not be called into question, by reason of a defect or irregularity in connection with the engagement.
“33. A person may be employed to perform the duties of more than 1 office of Chief Executive.
“34. The Chief Minister shall cause to be notified in the Gazette—
(a) the making of a contract under section 28;
(b) the termination of a contract made under that section; or
(c) the completion of a period of employment provided for by a contract under that section;
within 28 days after the making or termination of the contract, or the completion of the period of employment, as the case may be.”.