AustraliaLand Forces Expo Begins
A WA Greens staffer's ban from the event has been overturned, and thousands are expected to protest outside the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre, where the defence expo is being held, featuring hundreds of weapons companies and industry executives from 60 countries.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
The Land Forces Expo has started in Perth, with thousands of protesters expected to rally outside the event. Matilda Lane-Rose, a WA Greens staffer, had her ban from the event's security area overturned after threatening legal action.
Lane-Rose was one of several people placed on an exclusion list by WA Police, but will be allowed to enter the security zone between 8am and 6pm on Tuesday. She intends to help her boss, Greens MP Sophie McNeill, create content outside the expo.
WA Police Minister Reece Whitby said the bar for exclusion is set very high, and people are only excluded if their attendance poses a risk to the safety of others. A police spokeswoman said any decision to grant access is made on a case-by-case basis.
The expo features hundreds of weapons companies and industry executives from 60 countries. It is hosted by the state and commonwealth governments, and is seen as an opportunity to drive future investment in Western Australia's defence industry.
Premier Roger Cook said the defence industries provide an important opportunity for the state, and WA Police Minister Reece Whitby agreed, saying the expo relates to WA's strategic security.
A Chinese military representative will attend the event, and security has been stepped up around the city. The expo will also feature tours of Henderson, the home of AUKUS, and the Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct in Neerabup.
Organisers of the protest aim to target Australian weapons manufacturers exporting their products. They have vowed not to repeat the violence that marred the last event in Melbourne in 2024.
Key facts
- The Land Forces Expo has started in Perth, featuring hundreds of weapons companies and industry executives from 60 countries.
- A WA Greens staffer's ban from the event has been overturned.
- Thousands of protesters are expected to rally outside the event.
- The expo is hosted by the state and commonwealth governments, and is seen as an opportunity to drive future investment in Western Australia's defence industry.
Three perspectives
Neutral
The Land Forces Expo has begun, with both supporters and critics of the event making their voices heard. The WA government sees the event as an opportunity to drive investment in the state's defence industry, while protesters have raised concerns about the export of weapons. The situation will be closely watched in the coming days.
Positive
The expo provides a platform for industry leaders to connect and showcase the latest technologies, which could lead to new opportunities and jobs in Western Australia. The event also highlights the state's strategic importance in the region.
Negative
The event has been criticised for featuring hundreds of weapons companies, and protesters have raised concerns about the export of weapons and the potential for violence. The exclusion of some individuals from the event has also been questioned.
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