WA greenlights $11.5 million security spend for Land Forces Perth 2026
West Australia funded $11.5 million in security for the Land Forces defence expo in October.
Western Australia's parliament passed a bill last night giving police special powers to boost security for a major international defence expo. The Land Forces Event (Special Power) Bill 2026 received support from Labor, the Liberals and One Nation, though Greens MLC Sophie McNeill's questions kept debate going late into the night.
The event runs in October at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. The state has already budgeted $11.5 million for security.
In 2024, the last Land Forces International Defence Exposition in Melbourne drew massive protests from activist groups who gathered to oppose the arms show.
- $11.5 million
- Security budget
- Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Event location
- October 2026
- Event month
- Brought Melbourne CBD to standstill
- Previous event impact
Why it mattersThe bill signals how seriously authorities are preparing for large protests expected at the Perth expo, after activists nearly shut down Melbourne's CBD at the previous event.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
