(1) The Minister may appoint any person as a ministerial officer to assist ¾

(a) the Minister; or

(b) another political office holder,

and section 8(1) does not apply to or in relation to such an appointment.

(2) Subject to this Act, the employment of a ministerial officer shall be governed by a contract of employment between the ministerial officer and the Minister.

(3) Subject to this Part, a contract of employment referred to in subsection (2) shall ¾

(a) be in writing;

(b) be signed by or on behalf of the parties to that contract; and

(c) specify the day on which the employment expires.