More than 1000 people joined the protest in against the Land Forces 2026 Exposition, on October 6.
The weapons fair, which had more than 950 exhibitors, described itself as “Australia’s premier platform for advancing land-based defence capability”.
Companies whose weapons facilitate human rights abuses and war crimes are among the exhibitors, including Israeli firms Elbit Systems and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems.
The protest was initiated by the WA Anti-War collective, with the support of Stop AUKUS WA, Friends of Palestine WA and a range of other organisations.
The cost to the taxpayer for security alone at Land Forces is $10+ million. People joined because they are angry that money is being used on weapons and defence at the expense of mitigating climate change and properly funding housing, health and education.
The WA Labor government wants to make “defence” the state’s second largest industry, including a proposed “missile manufacturing hub”, possibly in Collie, with no consultation.
Protesters also voiced their opposition to AUKUS and Australia’s war alliance with the United States.
[Sam Wainwright is an activist with Stop AUKUS WA.]
