Sorry shaggy, thinking in Euro terms.
There is only one thing in this industry more immoral than kiddies jumping the queue on the basis of daddy's visa card... and that is airlines that force existing employees to re-train at their own cost. That should be illegal in Oz. It is almost certainly illegal in Europe (under European law). Of course we won't know until someone takes it to the courts.
Of course you are right, those smooth-cheeked 50-year-olds are screwing themselves (and everyone in the same position in the future).
I thought Aussie unions had balls?