An effective way to get back at Qantaslink is to let them interview you, get the piece of paper saying you have a job and act like you plan to proceed with the paying for your endorsement. Qantaslink will then put their training roster together to cover your line training etc plus they will be working out their future rosters and schedules based on the pilot numbers they think they will after the new pilots have completed their training.
Just before you have to fork out the cash to their "preferred training provider" give them a call and say you couldn't raise they money. And if those who are currently employed pull "sickie's", their schedules will go out the window and they may have to cancel flights. That will soon make them look at and change their recruitment policy.
Hold onto the piece of paper offering the position, as it could will become very handy when they find themselves short of pilots.