At least six people have been told they cannot protest inside the security zone around next week's Land Forces defence expo in Perth. The bans came on the first day of the temporary special powers state Parliament gave WA Police for the event.

The ABC reports that the people on the list were sent letters warning they could be arrested if they entered the protected area. The maximum penalty is three years' jail and a $36,000 fine. Police have not said why each person was chosen.

What the powers allow

The Land Forces (Special Powers) legislation was introduced by the Cook Government in June and passed last month. It sets up a protected area around the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Elizabeth Quay bus port. The powers apply from today until 10 October, which covers set-up and pack-down as well as the three days of the event itself.

Inside that zone, police can set up checkpoints, cordons and roadblocks, turn people and vehicles away, search people, bags and cars, and order anyone to leave. People on the excluded list can still protest outside the zone.

Land Forces, billed as Australia's biggest land defence conference and trade show, runs from 6 to 8 October. About 20,000 delegates are expected. It was last held in Melbourne in 2024, when protesters and police clashed for days outside the venue. WAtoday has also reported that facial recognition will be part of the Perth security operation.

What police and the government say

Police Minister Reece Whitby has called it the biggest police operation the state has seen, citing a "heightened security environment".

"We will not tolerate what occurred in Melbourne at the last Land Forces." — Reece Whitby, Police Minister

Commander Darren Seivwright said the powers had been "judiciously applied". He said the people excluded had earned it through past behaviour, and that some had criminal histories. Anyone who behaves the same way during the event could be added to the list, he said.

The pushback

Several groups have said they will protest, including the WA Anti-War Collective and the Greens. They accuse police of a lack of transparency.

Greens MLC Sophie McNeill said some of the people who received letters had no history of violent protest, and she accused police of trying to stop protests altogether.

Human Rights Law Centre senior lawyer Rohan Simpson said the notices he had seen were generic template letters. He argued that police should have to explain why they consider someone a threat before stopping them from exercising their right to protest.

What it means for Perth

For the next 10 days, expect a heavy police presence and possible checkpoints around the Convention Centre, Mounts Bay Road and the Elizabeth Quay bus port, which is one of the city's busiest transport hubs. Commuters heading through the bus port should allow extra time, particularly from Tuesday 6 October when the expo opens and the protests are expected to start.

The bigger question is how the bans will be tested. The law allows police to exclude people without publishing reasons, and civil liberties groups have already signalled they will scrutinise every notice. If a banned person turns up and is arrested, the powers could end up being argued over in court.

The story was first flagged on X by 10 News Perth and WAtoday.

Photo: -wuppertaler via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0). File photo of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.