QFRegional - QF's excuse is that you need to have experience before working in the 1st class cabin. HOWEVER because London crew are cheaper the company doesn't give a **** so they put them in 1st anyway. Thats why they have sherpas up in London now working on every flight out of London.
The sherpas are on a 33 day trip, must be costing a fortune.
And yes, now the base has opened in London they have a huge excess of crew in Australia. They are 'managing' this by offering leave without pay and part time positions. If only everyone could see through this and not take these 'offers' the company would be paying out millions for crew sitting at home with no work for them.