If the "story" is true I would think this guy really timed things very poorly (& granted none of us are Nostrodamus)
QF LH is a good deal , if Australians feel it is beneath them & don't want it plenty of others will
You could fill the annual ML vacancies with Kiwis if you wanted or ADF/RNZAF pilots out of ROSO or Americans (E3 equivalent) or Brits (haven't we
just done a deal on extended work visa) or Canadians