IM,

1 - Police don't just have guns for self defense, their job is to put themselves in the firing line, yours isn't.

2 - No I put the question in the too stupid basket. I don't see any laws against possessing a bat, a kitchen knife or an axe. However, using one against anyone will land you in the same legal peril.

Shadow Minister,

"1 - Police don't just have guns for self defense, their job is to put themselves in the firing line, yours isn't."

That doesn't make a bit of difference, someone, a criminal for instance, might take their pistol off them and use it against them.

My job is to defend myself and family against unlawful attack, don't you see yourself under the same obligation?

As regards the question of possessing anything for the purpose of self defense, it is legal to own all of those things, but not for the PURPOSE of self defence, e.g. it is legal to have oven spray in the kitchen, but if the police find a can on the bedside table, then questions can be asked.
Similarly with walking sticks, they have a legitimate purpose and can be used for self defence, however if one is in one's twenties and plays football for the local team, then carrying one may be construed as of doubtful legality.

IM,

If you're trying to make a point, you've failed miserably. I assume that you have accepted that police being armed is for more than self defense. The fact that police can be targeted for their weapons is a risk, but given that police normally patrol in pairs, and are trained for such a circumstance, it is extremely unlikely.

Secondly, as you've admitted, one can own plenty of household items that can be used for self defense and the only question about bedside oven spray would be of sanity.

Shadow,

Many, many times police do not patrol in pairs, that is one of the problems caused by funding.
Only last month I was stopped by a lone policeman and breath tested as I was over the speed limit but not enough to be booked.
Police should always patrol in pairs.

"Secondly, as you've admitted, one can own plenty of household items that can be used for self defense and the only question about bedside oven spray would be of sanity"

You miss the point, almost anything around the house can be used for self defense but it cannot be owned/kept/accessible for the PURPOSE of such defense.
To have anything for the PURPOSE of self defense is a crime.

Do you now comprehend?

Oven spray is an excellent criminal repellent, as is deodorizer spray and WD 40, with the new extension nozzle, is a beauty as is a fire extinguisher.

IM,

How many police officers have had their guns taken? Is it really a problem? Similarly, how many violent house invasions have there been in Aus? Preparations for a 1 in a million chance seems a little paranoid.

Secondly, I doubt police are psychic. A person being attacked is allowed to use reasonable force to protect oneself, and if oven spray or a poker are available it would be impossible to prosecute. However, if one killed or seriously injured the invader, one would have to prove that one had no other option.

This link covers most of it.

http://theconversation.com/how-far-can-you-go-to-lawfully-protect-yourself-in-a-home-invasion-56900

Shadow,

The point is that Australians are not allowed to POSSESS anything for the purpose of self defense.
Australians are not allowed to have anything for self defence, if they acquire anything for the PURPOSE of self defense they commit a crime.

It has been argued that to learn martial arts for self defence is to acquire a thing for an illegal purpose; this applies if it can be successfully argued that a 'thing' can be of a non-material nature.

The cowardly John Howard, having successfully banned the ownership of firearms for self defense for mere mortals, then allowed his "minders" to carry pistols for his protection.

Bye the way, do you consider it to be part of your 'job' to protect yourself and your loved ones from unlawful attack?