Defence lawyer Adrian McKenna argued Tessa Woodcock could break from bad associations and influences in the ACT if she were bailed to live in Kununurra, in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

Ms Woodcock, 36 - who sobbed as she appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court via video link on Friday - has previously pleaded not guilty to allegations she breached a family violence order and unlawfully took her son Phoenix Mapham, 6.

Ms Woodcock, who did not have custody of Phoenix, allegedly took him unlawfully from the playground of his school in August.

The pair was found by police in a NSW national park after a week on the run.

Police said the pair was on foot in the bush, and lacking suitable clothing, shelter and water.

Ms Woodcock – who has been in custody since her arrest on August 30 – applied for bail on Friday.

However, prosecutor Patrick Dixon opposed the application on the likelihood the defendant would not reappear before the court.

Mr Dixon said Kununurra would be an inappropriate address for the accused given its distance of more than 4000km from the ACT, requiring a flight to Darwin and nine-hour road trip to reach.

Mr Dixon said the sheer expense and time required to travel back to Canberra for court dates would increase her likelihood of failing to appear.

However, Mr McKenna said his client had a real motivation to comply with court orders, as any breach would see her locked up and effectively "torpedo" any future chance of contact with her son.

Mr McKenna said the defendant had never previuously spent time behind bars and her current stretch of seven weeks in custody had been a "sobering experience".

The defence – which offered a $2000 surety and daily reporting conditions – argued Kununurra was a suitable place as it provided Ms Woodcock with the opportunity to begin her rehabilitation away from the ACT and her negative associations and influences.

"She'll be away from it all," he said.

He said her criminal history showed only traffic charges in the past decade and contained no breaches of court orders.

Magistrate Bernadette Boss refused the bail application, saying conditions and the surety could not guarantee Ms Woodcock’s return to the ACT.

Dr Boss said significant financial resources would be required to travel back to Canberra for court appearances, reducing the likelihood of reappearing.

The magistrate also said the defendant's history of breaching court order reduced confidence she would comply with bail conditions.

The matter will reappear in court later this month.