- Western Australian Police Force to receive additional powers through Land Forces (Special Powers) Bill 2026 for Australia’s premier defence conference and trade show
- Land Forces 2026 International Land Defence Exposition will be held at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre 6-8 October
- Additional police powers are part of the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to keeping the growing Western Australian community safe.
The Cook Labor Government has introduced the Land Forces (Special Powers) Bill 2026 to provide Western Australia Police Force with additional temporary powers to help ensure community safety during the Land Forces 2026 International Land Defence Exposition.
Land Forces, Australia’s premier defence conference and trade show, will be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 6-8 October 2026. The event is expected to attract up to 10,000 domestic and international delegates and will require a co-ordinated security and traffic management response.
The Cook Labor Government recognises the right of people to peacefully gather and protest. However, that right must be balanced with the need to maintain public order and ensure the safety of attendees, workers and the wider community.
The legislation will establish a protected area around the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre during the event period, including a short period before and after for setup and pack-down activities.
Within the protected area, WA Police will have additional powers to establish checkpoints, cordons and roadblocks, stop people and vehicles from entering, direct people to leave and search people and vehicles, and issuing reasonable directions.
The Commissioner of Police will also be able to establish an excluded persons list for individuals assessed as posing a serious threat to the safety of people or property within the event area.
The powers will be strictly time-limited and subject to a post-event review, with a report to be tabled in Parliament.
The Cook Labor Government has committed $10.5 million in the 2026-27 State Budget to support Land Forces 2026, helping ensure WA Police have the resources needed to keep the community safe.
Land Forces 2026 will strengthen police infrastructure, operational capability and is expected to deliver significant strategic, economic and industrial benefits for Western Australia and Australia.
As stated by Police Minister Reece Whitby:
“The Cook Labor Government is committed to building capacity for the future and ensuring our State is prepared for any threat.
“These temporary powers will ensure WA Police have the necessary tools to safely manage a major international defence event, balancing the right to peacefully protest with the need to keep the community safe.
“Any form of dangerous or violent behaviour from anyone attending or protesting at Land Forces 2026 will not be tolerated and they will be dealt with appropriately by police.
“Land Forces 2026 will strengthen police infrastructure, operational capability and is expected to deliver significant strategic, economic and industrial benefits for Western Australia and Australia.”
As stated by Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia:
“Land Forces 2026 will bring together thousands of delegates and showcase everything from advanced military vehicles and autonomous systems to the latest defence manufacturing and cyber technologies.
“An event of this scale requires a coordinated security response, which is why these temporary powers are important. They will ensure WA Police have the tools they need to keep delegates, workers and the community safe while the event is underway.
“As WA continues to play a bigger role in Australia’s defence future through AUKUS and the growth of our defence industry, events like Land Forces provide an important platform to showcase the capability, expertise and innovation being developed right here in our State.”
