A controversial weapons exposition will return to Melbourne in two years' time, despite the last event sparking some of the city's largest and most violent protests in decades.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed today that the state would host the 2028 Land Forces Expo in a move she said would "strengthen Victoria's international reputation".
This year's event, scheduled for October, was moved to Perth following the violence sparked by the last event at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, which included arrests and claims of police overreach.
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The expo is designed to showcase weapons and defence capabilities as well as medical technologies and humanitarian assistance systems, aimed at both domestic and overseas customers.
The last expo in September 2024 saw chaotic scenes on the streets of Melbourne as thousands of anti-war demonstrators marched in protest at the expo.
Twenty-seven police officers were injured and 42 people arrested on the first day of protests.
Police were called in from New South Wales to assist Victorian officers, with around a 1000-strong force attending to control the crowds.
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Protesters were accused of throwing projectiles like rocks, suspected human faeces, horse manure and balloons carrying unknown liquids at officers.
"We are backing the economic opportunities created by Victoria's defence industry and the 29,000 jobs it supports," said the state's Minister for Defence Industry Colin Brooks in a statement.
The Greens have slammed the decision, calling the Labor government "out of touch".
"They moved Land Forces to Perth in an election year to avoid scrutiny and mass protests just before an election but are happy to keep dealing in war and weapons in plain sight once the election is done and dusted," Greens spokesperson for Peace and Disarmament Gabrielle de Vietri said.
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