The Western Australia government is considering granting police additional public-order powers ahead of the upcoming Land Forces defence expo in Perth [1, 2].
These potential measures aim to prevent civil unrest and violence during the event. The move follows previous security failures and confrontations that occurred when the expo was hosted in Melbourne [1, 2].
State officials and Western Australia Police are evaluating the necessity of these expanded powers to ensure the event proceeds without disruption [1, 2]. The Land Forces expo is a major gathering of defence industry leaders and military personnel, an event that has historically drawn protests [1, 2].
Government representatives said that previous iterations of the expo in Melbourne were marked by ugly clashes [1, 2]. To avoid a repeat of those incidents in Perth, the government is weighing the legal framework required to give officers more authority to manage crowds and maintain public order [1, 2].
While the specific nature of the proposed powers has not been fully detailed, the focus remains on preempting the type of violence seen in earlier years [1, 2]. The administration is balancing the need for security with the legal requirements of public assembly in Western Australia [1, 2].
“The WA government is considering granting police additional public‑order powers.”
The consideration of expanded police powers reflects a shift toward preemptive security strategies for high-profile international events in Australia. By citing the 'ugly clashes' from the Melbourne expo, the WA government is signaling that it views the Land Forces event as a high-risk catalyst for civil disorder, potentially setting a precedent for how future defence exhibitions are policed across the country.
