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The Parliament of Western Australia has passed a new Land Forces (Special Powers) Bill 2026, giving additional powers to WA Police for managing Land Forces 2026 in Perth.
Land Forces is expected to be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 6–8 October 2026, potentially bringing up to 20,000 domestic and international delegates, and will require a coordinated security and traffic management response. Previous iterations of the event have faced significant anti-war protest demonstrations, including vandalism and activist violence.
The laws will be in effect from 1 to 10 October this year with new temporary powers to help WA Police manage the event, protect the community and respond to any dangerous or disruptive behaviour.
The powers will be in place with a protected area around the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre during the event period, including a short period before and after for set-up 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, search people and vehicles, and issue reasonable directions.
“I want to thank all members of Parliament for working together and putting community safety first to get this important legislation passed,” said Police Minister Reece Whitby.
“This legislation is about making sure WA Police have the powers they need to keep people safe and effectively manage Land Forces, while respecting the right to peacefully protest.
“We saw the scenes that occurred when Land Forces was held in Melbourne in 2024, and we do not want to see anything like that here in Perth, which is why it is crucial these laws have now [been] passed.”
Western Australia 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.
Land Forces 2026 is expected to deliver significant strategic, economic, and industrial benefits for Western Australia and Australia.
Around $11.5 million has been allocated in the 2026–27 state budget to support Land Forces 2026, helping ensure WA Police have the resources needed to keep the community safe.
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