Army conference security stepped up Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre as Chinese attendance confirmed

A Chinese military representative will attend this week’s massive Army conference in Perth as security is stepped up around the city’s Convention and Exhibition Centre for an event featuring hundreds of weapons companies.

Two years ago, the same event was staged in Melbourne where violent clashes broke out between anti-war protestors and police, prompting the Victorian government to withdraw from host the exposition in 2026.

Twenty nations are sending military delegations headed by senior officers or defence officials to participate in this year’s Land Forces gathering and the West Australian can reveal an attaché from the People’s Liberation Army is also participating.

Defence has declined to comment on China’s inclusion in the event, but the West has confirmed that all countries which have uniformed diplomatic staff posted in Australia are invited in accordance with long-standing practice.

Ahead of Tuesday’s opening, Premier Roger Cook said laws introduced more than a decade ago for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth were an “important part of making sure that we keep the community safe” during big events.

“We know from the experience in Victoria that there will be people who want to protest the Land Forces Conference. I respect that. This is a democracy; they have the right to protest, but they have to protest peacefully and respectfully within the laws of the state.”

On Monday WA Greens staffer and activist Matilda Lane-Rose, who was fined over a planned protest at the home of former Woodside chief executive Meg O’Neill had a ban on entering the Land Forces security area overturned after threatening legal action.

Ms Lane-Rose was one of several people, including Rising Tide and Disrupt Burrup Hub activist Will Shanahan, who were placed on an exclusion list by WA Police which blocked them from entering the area around the conference venue.

This week Australia’s newly appointed first female Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, will address the international military gathering and outline her priorities for the service as it moves to improve its preparedness for littoral operations.

Among the military companies taking part in this week’s exhibition is the Israeli weapons giant Rafael which is rumoured to be preparing to unveil a proposed Australian version of its “Iron Dome” air defence system known as “Southern Shield”.

On Wednesday Defence Minister Pat Conroy will also address defence industry leaders at a special breakfast event hosted by The West and is then expected to be joined by Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy as he tours the Land Forces exposition.

“Western Australia is a critical part of not just our defence architecture, but it’s a critical contributor to the Australian defence industry that’s seen significant growth, and we’re really excited about the potential for even further growth,” Mr Conroy told the West ahead of their visit.

Mr Conroy has also called on young West Australian to consider a career in defence industry despite the relatively higher wages offered by the mining sector in Western Australia.

“If you’re a worker in the private sector, there is nothing that’s more patriotic, nothing more directly contributing to the safety of this nation than working the defence industry, and I’m very grateful for them to do that.”