Terrorism threat raised as hundreds tipped to protest 2024 Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition

The terrorism threat has been raised to “probable” in Victoria, as hundreds of protesters are expected to rally against a major defence exhibition. Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters and members of activist group Extinction Rebellion are expected outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to protest the 2024 Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition. Scheduled to run from September 11 to 13, the event will bring together almost 1000 exhibitions from 31 countries. However the Disrupt Land Forces activist group have claimed the event “facilitate(s) murder”. “We unequivocally oppose the glorification of death, destruction, and genocide being carried out with weapons developed on this continent and showcased at Land Forces,” Disrupt Land Forces said in an open letter. “From Palestine to West Papua, these companies facilitate murder, displacement, land desecration and colonisation in the name of western imperialist interests.” The group has called for an “end to all weapons exports to states engaged in genocide and militarised repression”. Victoria Police has been given “special powers” under the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act in the area surrounding the exhibition centre until 11.59pm on September 15. Under the powers it’s an offence to hinder a search or fail to comply with a direction to remove a face covering. A Victoria Police spokesperson on Tuesday confirmed there would be a “significant presence” at the Land Forces event throughout September. “This is expected to be our largest operation since the World Economic Forum in 2000,” the spokesperson said. “A number of police will be dedicated to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to ensure the highest level of safety and security throughout the event. “This includes hundreds of regional police who will travel to Melbourne for the event in addition to metro general duties police and specialist police including the Public Order Response Team, Highway Patrol and Mounted Branch.” The spokesperson said the National Terrorism Threat Level had been raised to “probable”, with police having “ample resources available to provide an agile response to any incidents”. “Victoria Police will also set up its State Police Operations Centre at the Victoria Police Centre,” the spokesperson said. “While Victoria Police acknowledges the National Terrorism Threat Level has been elevated to probable, there is no intelligence to suggest this event is the target of any specific threat.” Two people were arrested during the weekend’s protests, while two officers were allegedly assaulted while attempting to intervene after a man was allegedly assaulted and his Bourke St property damaged. They were both released from custody and are expected to be charged on summons with assault and resist police offences. Investigations are ongoing into the initial altercation.