WA Police overturn entry ban for activist at Land Forces Expo

Western Australian Police have temporarily overturned an entry ban for Matilda Lane-Rose, a Greens staffer and activist, following threats of legal action. Lane-Rose was included on an exclusion list for the Land Forces Expo in Perth, which barred her and other activists, such as Will Shanahan, from the security zone around the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The Human Rights Law Centre and SCALES Community Legal Centre challenged the exclusion, prompting police to allow Lane-Rose access to the security zone on Tuesday between 8 am and 6 pm. However, the ban remains in effect after 8 pm, and Lane-Rose intends to pursue the matter in the Supreme Court of WA to challenge the original decision.

WA Police Minister Reece Whitby stated that the threshold for exclusion is set “very high” to prevent violence and protect individuals. The Land Forces Expo is Australia’s largest defense exhibition, expected to host approximately 10,000 visitors. The government has implemented strict measures to avoid the clashes between protesters and police seen at previous events.