WASHINGTON, D.C. — Activists and a Greens member of parliament are preparing legal action after Western Australia police invoked a newly‑amended security law to bar at least 12 protestors from the perimeter of the Land Forces weapons expo at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, scheduled to open on 6 October.

The state’s Security Zones (Exclusion Orders) Act, passed in March, allows police to designate a “security area” around major events and impose fines up to $36,000 or three years’ imprisonment for anyone who breaches an exclusion order. Police said the measure was necessary to protect attendees and prevent interference with the display of advanced weaponry and related technologies.

Greens MP Lily Dawson called the ban “a disproportionate use of power that threatens civil liberties,” and announced her office will seek an injunction. “Our democratic right to peaceful assembly must not be criminalised under the guise of security,” she said. Activist group PeaceTech also released a statement, warning that the law could set a precedent for silencing dissent at future tech expos.

Industry observers note the decision could affect enterprise adoption of security‑focused AI solutions, which vendors often showcase at the expo. Companies such as SentinelAI and GuardVision had planned live demonstrations of facial‑recognition and autonomous patrol systems. The ban may limit real‑world testing opportunities, prompting firms to seek alternative venues or negotiate clearer access protocols with authorities.

Competitors in the region are watching closely. South Australia’s recent “Safe Event” framework, which relies on voluntary compliance rather than exclusion orders, has attracted several defence contractors seeking a less restrictive environment. Analysts at TechInsights predict that states with more collaborative approaches could capture up to 15 % of the Australian security‑tech market share by 2028.

Key Takeaways

• Western Australia’s new law imposes fines of up to $36,000 and up to three years in prison for breaching exclusion orders.
• At least 12 activists and a Greens MP are preparing legal challenges, citing concerns over civil liberties.
• The ban may curtail on‑site demonstrations of AI‑driven security technologies, influencing corporate strategies and regional competition.

The outcome of the legal challenge could reshape how Australian jurisdictions balance public safety with the right to protest, while also signaling to tech firms the level of regulatory certainty they can expect when deploying advanced security solutions at high‑profile events.