QF haven't been allowed a beard (or goatee) since before my involvement with QF in 91. I suspect it's been in place a lot longer than that.
I don't think the oft quoted oxy mask theory holds true as many airlines around the world allow facial hair- including Oneworld partners BA and Cathay. I seem to recall (but may be mistaken) that RN Sea Harrier drivers are also allowed to have beards and they wear the oxy mask far more often than airline drivers would.
There was a case a couple of years back where a RAAF CPL took them to court over his inability to have either long hair or a beard. He lost but I recall the reasons quoted as being part of the military discipline. I suspect that a QF driver who wanted to take the company to court on this one would win as there is no reasonable reason (apart from aesthetics) why someone shouldn't be able to wear a beard. Of course you'd have to be willing to cough up the dough and most QF drivers probably don't care enough to bother!
