569Minister’s entitlement to intervene

569 Minister’s entitlement to intervene

(1) The Minister may intervene on behalf of the Commonwealth in proceedings before a court (including a court of a State or Territory) in relation to a matter arising under this Act if the Minister believes it is in the public interest to do so.

(2) If the Minister intervenes, the Minister is taken to be a party to the proceedings for the purposes of instituting an appeal from a judgment given in the proceedings.

(3) Despite section 570, a court may make an order as to costs against the Commonwealth if:

(a) the Minister intervenes under subsection (1); or

(b) the Minister institutes an appeal from a judgment as referred to in subsection (2).