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Hi 7gcbc
First up, due to flight cancellation, I would have the Travel Agent pressure QF to accommodate you on a suitable flight on a Flight Interruption Manifest (FIM) basis and if there is a suitable CX flight get you onto that, as the QF flight ex FCO is codeshared on CX and they will most likely conect with themselves. Push this one HARD as the airline is responsible assuming the booking was ticketed, to deliver you on first available service or accommodate you on a suitable replacement service of their own within reasonable parameters. If they do not do the FIM bit, get the Agent to push for a day use family room at the Regal Airport Hotel at HKG, so at least you have somewhere to stretch out and for the kids to have a snooze etc.
If that fails, and it should not if the Agent has reasonable QF runs on the board, then on to the Insurance and under the flight delay cover which most have, you should be able to have them either reaccommodate you on another service, or at least pay for the Regal.
My money is on pressure on QF. If they cancel a service for ticketed passengers, they should reaccommodate on a suitable service.
If your agent is a bucket shop operation, you may need to insert a 3 phase cable in the tw@t or butt of the booking clerk and power up to get a response, but do not back off. It may be messy, but it needs to be done.
Best regards and hope this helps.
EWL