Hi Jenna...No, we never had delays at Ansett....(pffftt! only kidding!)
As the aircraft got older, & the maintenance downtime shorter, yes we had this on a daily basis. I can't recall whether AN/TN had legal obligations printed somewhere that obliged them to assist the punters, in the event of a delay, but assist we did.
Generally, we'd organise a meal voucher upon presentation of boarding card for short delays (a few hours), but I don't recall many punters getting put up in a hotel. Certainly, the INTL carriers (SQ included) would accommodate the punters from out of town for overnights. Locals got cab vouchers.
CO were wise to all the loopholes and, as alluded to by Icarus53, if they knew an overnight delay was on the cards, they wouldn't open the check in counters OR, they'd stop check in. If you hadn't checked in, then they weren't obliged to accommodate or feed you! (I think that's a US rule)
