The Supreme Court of Victoria has authorised the use of special police powers (special powers) under section 21B of the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003 (the Act) to protect persons attending the 2024 Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition from a terrorist act.
This includes exhibitors and attendees to the Exposition and also includes protestors, counter protestors and the public.
The special powers authorised may only be exercised in the target area between 12.00pm Friday 6 September 2024 and 11.59pm Sunday 15 September 2024.
Map of designated area
The target area, around the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, is contained within the following boundaries:
- Northern Borders: Northern side of Flinders Street and Wurundjeri Way
- Western Borders: Western side of Wurundjeri Way and Montague Street
- Southern borders: Southern side of Normanby Road
- Eastern Borders: Eastern side of Kings Way.
Use of special powers
Police officers and protective service officers (PSOs) have been authorised with special powers to:
- obtain disclosure of identity to accordance with s.21O of the Act
- search persons in accordance with s.21P of the Act
- search vehicles in accordance with s.21Q of the Act
- move vehicles in accordance with s.21R of the Act
- place a cordon around the target area in accordance with s.21T of the Act and
- seize and detain things in accordance with s.21U of the Act.
A police officer, protective services officer or person assisting those officers and acting under their direction and control may use such force as is reasonably necessary to exercise a special police power.
There are offences against the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003 for not complying with a direction and hindering or obstructing the exercise of a special power.
Updated