Commentary on Sections Section 21– Short title and commencement
104.This section provides for the substantive provisions in the Act to come into force automatically six months after the granting of Royal Assent. Subsection (2)(a) makes provision for sections 1, 20 and 21 and the schedule to come into force the day after Royal Assent. This will enable recruitment of the Commissioner to commence immediately so that the Commissioner can be in post on the day that the rest of the Act comes into force.
105.The period of six months allowed in subsection (2)(b) enables the Parliament to recruit the Commissioner and put in place the required structures, procedures, staffing and resources. The Parliament will need time to formulate and adopt new standing orders and amend the Code of Conduct. Time will also be needed to prepare the directions provided for in section 4.