When Michael O'Leary's protégé, one Alan Joyce, took over Qantas he set up Jetstar in the Ryanair mould, complete "no sitting together unless you pay".
That policy caused this and Jetstar's check in contractors and cabin attendants exacerbated it by following the LCC's "customer service doesn't apply here" attitude.
So, indirectly, and drawing a long bow, the buck stops at the Irishman's desk. Of course AFP didn't help either