It appears that Qantas has told Airservices that they will not allow the Class E to be lowered unless the transponder mandate remains.
And so it should. Any blind Freddy in the 21st century knows that mixing IFR and VFR with no protection is madness. Why are some still living in the dark ages of follow-me vehicles and friendly FBOs.
I suppose you're still towing the line of VFR not on the radio, with no transponder, swanning around in terminal jet airspace, Leddie?
Where's that head-banging emoji...