- Victoria raises terrorist threat to “probable”
- The measure was taken before the planned protest
The terror threat has been raised to “probable” in Victoria as hundreds of anti-war protesters are expected to rally outside a major defence exhibition.
Pro-Palestine protesters and members of climate activist group Extinction Rebellion are expected to rally outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to protest against the Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exhibition.
Scheduled to take place from Wednesday to Friday, the event will bring together nearly 1,000 exhibits from 31 countries.
However, activist group Disrupt Land Forces said the event “facilitated the killing”.
“We unequivocally oppose the glorification of death, destruction and genocide carried out with weapons developed on this continent and displayed by Disrupt 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 arms exports to states engaged in genocide and militarized repression.”
Victoria Police have been given “special powers” under the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act in the area surrounding the Exhibition Centre until 11.59pm on September 15.
The terror threat has been raised to ‘likely’ in Victoria as hundreds of protesters are expected to gather against a major defence exhibition (pictured: officers at a protest)
Under the powers that be, it is an offence to obstruct a search or fail to comply with an order to remove a face covering.
A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that there would be a “significant presence” at the Land Forces event.
“This is expected to be our largest transaction since the World Economic Forum in 2000,” the spokesman said.
‘A number of police officers will be stationed at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to ensure the highest level of security throughout the event.
‘This includes hundreds of regional police officers who will travel to Melbourne for the event, in addition to general duty metropolitan police and specialist police including the Public Order Response Team, Highway Patrol and Mounted Brigade.’
The spokesman said the domestic terror threat level had been raised to “probable” and police had “ample resources available to provide a swift response to any incident”.
“Victoria Police will also be basing its State Police Operations Centre at the Victoria Police Centre,” the spokesperson said.
‘While Victoria Police acknowledges that the domestic terrorist threat level has been raised to probable, there is no information to suggest that this event is the target of any specific threat.’
Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters and members of activist group Extinction Rebellion (pictured) are expected to gather outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to protest against the 2024 Land Forces International Defence Exhibition.
Two people were arrested during protests at the weekend, while two officers were allegedly assaulted as they attempted to intervene after a man was allegedly assaulted and his property damaged on Bourke St.
Both were released and are expected to be charged on summons with assault and resisting police.
Investigations into the initial altercation are ongoing.