WA Police Ban Activists From Perth Defence Expo October 2

Western Australian police have banned at least six climate activists from entering a security zone around Perth’s Land Forces defence expo using newly granted temporary powers. The Land Forces Event (Special Powers) Act 2026, passed in September, gives police authority to stop and search anyone, establish checkpoints, and exclude individuals for 10 days from October 1 to 10. The expo, Australia’s largest defence industry event, expects 10,000 overseas and interstate visitors.

What police powers are now in effect

Under the new legislation, WA police can establish checkpoints, cordons, and roadblocks around the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and Elizabeth Quay busport. Officers may stop and search individuals, bags, and vehicles. They can seize prohibited items including speakers, microphones, flares, bottles, and dangerous animals. Police can also remove face coverings and issue move-on orders. Facial recognition technology will enforce bans against excluded persons.

Who has been banned and why

At least six people have received police exclusion letters this week, according to the Greens and WA Anti-War Collective. Climate activist Will Shanahan, 18, posted their ban letter to social media on Wednesday. A police spokesman said excluded individuals have “earned it through previous suboptimal behaviour” and “sufficient behavioural problems, and some of that includes criminal histories,” but declined to specify how many people were banned or the exact criteria.

Why the government expanded police powers

The Cook government budgeted AUD 11.5 million for security after violent clashes at the 2024 Land Forces expo in Melbourne. WA Police Minister Reece Whitby said officers were splashed with urine and acid, ball bearings were thrown under police horses, fires were started, and punches were thrown. Whitby rejected claims the powers were anti-protest, saying peaceful protesters would be protected. This is WA’s largest security operation since the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Activists and opposition challenge the restrictions

WA Greens MLC Sophie McNeill said the laws crack down on peaceful protesters and that at least six exclusion letters went to people with no history of violent offences. Sam Wainwright from Stop AUKUS WA called the protections “staggering” and said the laws restrict civil liberties and may not be constitutional. Activists have slammed the Cook government for “draconian” police powers. The expo will feature Lockheed Martin, Elbit Systems, BAE Systems, Boeing, and Thales.

Final Thoughts

WA police have begun enforcing expanded temporary powers that ban individuals from the Land Forces expo security zone. The move prioritizes security after 2024 violence but raises questions about whether exclusions target peaceful protest. The expo runs October 6-8 with thousands of international defence delegates expected.

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