2024 Perth Land Forces defence expo protests and security measures
Consensus Summary
As the expo approaches, tensions remain high between authorities and activists, with protesters planning a march from Yagan Square to Elizabeth Quay on October 6. The WA government has stated that it will not tolerate disruptions similar to those seen in Melbourne, but activists insist their protests will remain peaceful. The Guardian reports that legal challenges are underway, with activists seeking judicial review of the exclusion orders. Meanwhile, the ABC notes that the expo’s organisers are working to ensure the protest march proceeds without violence, though the heavy police presence and exclusion zone have already sparked debates about free speech and state overreach. The outcome of these legal challenges and the tone of the protests will likely shape the public perception of the expo’s success and the government’s handling of dissent.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Land Forces defence expo is being held in Perth from October 6 to 8, 2024, with a three-day event at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
- The expo features almost 1,000 exhibiting organisations and representatives from over 60 countries.
- Up to 15,000 people are expected to attend the expo.
- WA police were granted 10 days of temporary extra powers, including the ability to ban 'excluded persons' from the expo and its security zone.
- The security zone extends from Elizabeth Quay bus port to the convention centre.
- WA police received an additional $11.5 million for policing the event.
- The expo was previously held in Melbourne in 2024, where 24 police members were injured during protests.
- The event is hosted every two years, with the last one in Melbourne generating around $100 million for the state.
- 100 local operators will show at the Perth expo, double the number who attended the Victorian event two years ago.
- A US$9.53 million contract was awarded to a Perth-based engineering company, Chironix, for advanced defence technology.
- At least 12 people were banned from entering the security zone, with potential penalties of a $36,000 fine and three years in prison.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The expo is described as the 'biggest police operation' in WA, surpassing the security measures for the 2011 CHOGM event.
- WA Police Minister Reece Whitby stated that the expo is 'important for Western Australia strategically, commercially, and for a whole other range of reasons'.
- A facial recognition system is likely to be used to enforce the bans on excluded persons.
- Protesters in Melbourne in 2024 were arrested for offences like assault, obscuring or hindering police, arson, and blocking roadways.
- WA Premier Roger Cook said defence industries are an 'important opportunity' for the state.
- The expo is funded by both state and commonwealth governments, but the exact financial backing is classified as commercial-in-confidence.
- A planned protest march from Yagan Square to Elizabeth Quay is expected to be peaceful and non-violent, according to organisers.
- Premier Roger Cook compared the economic impact of the Perth expo to the Melbourne event, which generated around $100 million for Victoria.
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles is attending the expo.
- The expo is the first time it has been held in Perth, with a record number of WA companies participating.
- Activists, including Greens staffer Matilda Lane-Rose, plan legal action against the police bans, arguing they target peaceful protesters.
- The legislation used to ban protesters, the Land Forces (Special Powers) Bill 2026, was passed last month.
- The security zone exclusion order applies for 10 days, from October 6 to October 16.
- The banned individuals include Melbourne activists Violet Coco and Brad Homewood, who were involved in protests at the 2024 Melbourne expo.
- The expo features companies like Elbit Systems and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which have faced criticism for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The ABC states the expo runs from October 6 to 8, while the Guardian mentions the security zone exclusion order applies until October 10, and the ABC also notes the powers last until October 10.
- The ABC reports 24 police members were injured in Melbourne in 2024, but the Guardian does not mention this specific figure.
- The ABC and THEWEST both mention 1,000 exhibitors, but the ABC also states 'almost 1,000 exhibiting organisations,' while THEWEST says 'hundreds of defence and weapons businesses,' which could imply a discrepancy in exact numbers.
Source Articles
WA has high hopes for Land Forces as anti-war activists prepare to protest
Australia's biggest defence expo is making its debut in Perth with the WA government saying it is important "strategically, commercially" as anti-war activists prepare to protest.
Hundreds protest against Australia's largest defence expo in Perth
Protesters in Perth gather to oppose the biennial Land Forces expo, held in Perth two years after ugly scenes in Melbourne.
Premier Roger Cook says high-level defence expo in Perth will bring in millions of dollars for local economy
Premier Roger Cook says this week’s high-level defence expo in Perth will bring in tens of millions of dollars for the local economy.
Activists plan legal action against police ban on entering security zone near Perth weapons expo
Under new WA laws anyone who defies an exclusion order could face a maximum $36,000 fine and three years in prison Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Activists and a Greens MP have threatened legal action after the Western Australia police banned at least 12 people entering a designated security area where the Land Forces weapons expo will be held in Perth from 6 October. The police used special powers given to them by the WA government last month to ban the activists f
WA police ban 'excluded persons' from protesting at defence expo
New legislation passed last month gives WA police additional temporary powers to manage next week's Land Forces event, and at least six people have already received letters banning them from protesting inside the security zone.
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