Actually, the conservative attitude from management (as much as I personally hold them in contempt for many other things) over the years has allowed QF to come through events like 9/11 and SARS with only a few minor flesh wounds, as QF is not heavily in debt and was making just enough profit to absorb those problems.
That will change drastically if APA buy the company, and another event of similar magnitude in this fickle industry has a reasonable probability of sending QF flying into bankruptcy. That's not pessimistic - it's just realistic with the debt/equity levels the new owners will be carrying.
Accountants like to make money, and they like to do it quickly then move on. Exposing themselves to prolonged risk in one particular area is very un-accountant like.