firstly, the $35,000 as far as i am aware does not include superannuation. also on stdby days (available days) crew can nominate to work, meaning they will be last to be called. if called into work, the hours worked will not go towards to total 140hrs per month. however in compensation you will receive A$18.75 for FA per hr and A$20 for purser on top of your basic salary. meal allowance breaks are paid on top of that.
so 140hrs is duty time, from sign on to sign off in a 1 calendar mth period. so i think it is a fair system. also 10 days off per month, if you are asked to work on that day you are paid $250 on top of your basic salary.
meal break allowance is paid if you do not receive an uninterrupted 20 min break within 5 hours of departure time. we are always paid this as we never get the break. turnarounds are too quick and there is never time during flight.