A couple more points for Mr Flaver:
One. Ms Staines has been yacking about 'new profitable routes' for quite some time. What has happened? Apart fromn the cherry picking seasonal charters, nothing. Every route Australian now flies was handed over to them by Qantas. The route that they did pioneer, although with a significant subsidy from its government, was Sabah. Where did it go? Down the tube with the handouts. They also managed to stuff up Taipei but blamed the Asian flu crisis to spin themselves off the hook. AOs continued refusal of more aircraft from Qantas speaks volumes for its intention to start new routes.
Two. On the question of denials etc., it's time to start to worry when media speculation that is close to the money is formally denied as it's been in this case.
I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm and optimism but both are regretably misplaced.