Jeez Don, you beat me to it...but for all those blinkered kangaroos
1. Emirates pays for its fuel.
2. The regulator is not the owner.
3. You only pay tax on profit so it has nothing to do with costs.
On the seat belt thing....
What on earth has turning the seat belt sign on got to do with compromising safety? Whether your SOP's allow service with it on or not is a detail, some do and some don't, neither is wrong.
All that matters is to have a way of comunicating to the cabin crew when you need them strapped in and equipment stowed. Some use the seat belt sign, some a PA. Ouvert les yeux.
If I were to be in QF, I would be nervous as well. Especially with the new EK order coming.....I suspect the Australian taxpayer would like to see some more competition.