Sylvrfalcn is right. The article also states the ban "(...is to prevent people from walking around with...)"
I'll have to ask my Austrailian pals how often they run into Samurai-wielding adversaries during the average day.
Ya know, if i was in a bar, and ended up in a situation, anything in the vicinity within reach would become an instant weapon. From glass bottle, to bar stool, to pool cue, to ash tray. If i was in a certain situation, i'd yank off my belt and wield it as a whip, a buckle hurts! Car keys, tire iron, heck they already banned metal lunch boxes in some places, i'd use a briefcase if i needed to!
So yeah, this is rediculous...
And it isn't going to stop at crossbows.