Polemic - I'm intrigued.
Usually the QF group (Qantas/Australian/Jetstar) do things for only one reason $$$$$$$$$ The Qantas group has a great track record of playing pilot groups off against each other to save money.
If they are opening a Christchurch base and employing New Zealand based pilots if they cant find enough Oz pilots for the job then I assume it would be because of $$$$$$$$$$$
If you are in the know about how much each group is going to get paid, let's hear the details. Until then I remain sceptical, since the Qantas group only cares about one thing
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$