Protest against Land Forces Weapons Expo in Perth

Over 21 anti-war, Palestine solidarity and environmental groups in WA have joined forces under the lead of WA Anti-War Collective to protest the International Land Defence Exposition, Land Forces being held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC), 6-8 October.

WA parliament recently passed the Land Forces Event (Special Powers) Act 2026 providing WA Police with extraordinary powers; imposing restrictions on who can enter the extended ‘event area’ (which takes place in one of the busiest CBD train and bus terminals); what people can carry (bike locks, sunglasses, glue, and glass are all prohibited items); and face coverings (which, except in special circumstances, are unlawful).

With a claimed 995 exhibitors from 31 nations and expected visitation of over 25,000, Land Forces is essentially Australia’s largest weapons trade fair. It features the major global weapons companies of Lockheed Martin, RTX’s Raytheon, BAE Systems, Northrup Grumman, and Boeing.

The protest was held at 5pm on Tuesday 6 October, beginning at Yagan Square before protesters marched to Elizabeth Quay, across the street from where Land Forces was held. WA Anti-War Collective Spokesperson Sam Wainwright went On The Record with Jeff Bullen the day prior to the protest to discuss the significant legal barriers put in place by the state government to attempt to quell the protest, rejecting the WA Police’s offer to provide an enclosed ‘protest pen’ with a portaloo in the car park on the edge of the declared ‘event area’, and the importance of a public demonstration to raise awareness about this event.