Letters delivered to at least six people this week warn that entering the designated security zone around the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre will result in arrest, a maximum of three years in prison, and fines up to $36,000. These restrictions are part of a fortified security operation that includes the use of facial recognition technology to track those on an exclusion list. Protesters who remain on the list are legally required to stay outside the perimeter, which covers the exhibition centre and the Elizabeth Quay bus port.
These measures represent a significant shift in event management for Western Australia, as the state government aims to avoid the violent clashes that occurred during the 2024 Land Forces expo in Melbourne, where 24 police officers were injured by protesters throwing items including rocks and acid. To facilitate the event, which runs from October 6 to 8 and is expected to host 20,000 delegates, the government has allocated $11.5 million for enhanced security.
Under new legislation passed last month, police now possess broad temporary powers until October 10. Within the security zone, officers are authorized to stop, search, and evict any person, as well as remove face coverings. The list of items police can confiscate is extensive, ranging from speakers and microphones to dangerous insects like bees, flares, and bottles. While Commander Darren Seivwright confirmed the operation creates a secure fort, groups including the Greens and the WA Anti-War Collective have criticized the police for a lack of transparency regarding the criteria for the bans.
The security zone remains in effect until October 10 to cover the full duration of the event, including the setup and final pack-down phases.