At least 12 activists, along with a member of the Greens party, have announced plans to pursue legal remedies after Western Australia police issued exclusion orders barring them from the vicinity of the upcoming Land Forces weapons exhibition. The event is scheduled to commence on October 6 in Perth.
Authorities invoked special powers granted by the state government last month to enforce the bans. These measures target individuals seeking to enter the designated security zone surrounding the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Under recently enacted Western Australian legislation, individuals who disregard such exclusion orders face severe penalties. Convictions can result in fines of up to $36,000 and imprisonment terms of up to three years.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from the affected parties, who view the restrictions as an attempt to silence protest ahead of the international defense industry gathering.
$36,000 fines and three years for showing up? Seems excessive. Hope the courts intervene before the expo starts.
Is it really democracy if the government can just ban critics from peaceful protest? This feels like a slippery slope toward authoritarianism.