Around 2000 anti-war activists took to the streets on October 6, in a strong rebuke to the weapons’ manufacturers displaying their wares at the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition and Western Australian Labor, which welcomed it.

The rally, one of the biggest in recent years, began at Yagan Square near Northbridge, before marching through the city to Elizabeth Quay, close to the Perth Convention Centre.

A “security area” had been set up around the expo venue, which included the Elizabeth Quay train station and several sections of surrounding streets.

A new law, the Land Forces (Special Powers) Act 2026, gave police the “ability to establish checkpoints, cordons, and roadblocks, while also searching people, bags, and vehicles, and issue lawful directions for a 10-day period”, until October 10.

Alongside this, several activists had been told they were banned from the security area, and could face........

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