As I understand it Australian based employees that take up the transfer/Leave Without Pay get 7500 pounds additional payment per annum in addition to the salary on offer. Also company provided private health cover and two free positioning tickets on each side of the two years over there. And accrual of Seniority and benefits as if they stayed in OZ.
So Australian based employees over there will get more than those who join as UK based crew. More like $64k Australian... Not the $51k as quoted. Still I can't see the offer being widely accepted. Though it does offer an 'experience' to those who are interested in joining Long Haul, wanting promotion or to live in the UK.
Not as bad a deal as some make out. Although this whole exercise is nothing more than attempts by the big Q to make more money. And turn employee groups against each other and deteriorate the conditions of Australian based employees.
Whatever the deal is... Decreasing morale of existing employees and creating further anti-management sentiment is never good for business.