(1) A person who:
(a) has instituted, or proposes to institute, a proceeding before a magistrate or a court under this Act or in respect of detention under this Act; or
(b) is, or will be, a party to such a proceeding; or
(c) is, or will be, giving evidence or producing documents or other articles at such a proceeding;
may apply to the Attorney - General for assistance under this section in respect of the proceeding.
(2) If the Attorney - General is satisfied that:
(a) it would involve hardship to the person to refuse the application; and
(b) in all the circumstances, it is reasonable that the application be granted;
the Attorney - General may authorise provision by the Commonwealth to the person of such legal or financial assistance in relation to the proceeding as the Attorney - General determines.
(3) The assistance may be granted unconditionally or subject to such conditions as the Attorney - General determines.