If you want to keep your Capt's in the regionals and not loose them to larger (Jet) operators, then you will have to pay them jet money! Many will stay for the lifestyle, but the extra jink is what is needed to keep a stable workforce of Capts. There will soon be no F/Os suitable for upgrade. What happens then when the Capts keep leaving?? Senior QL management are just not across this aspect and unless they do something real soon there will be parked Dash's about the country. Direct entry commands are a distinct possibility if they want to keep flying. There are many qualified Dash pilots in South Africa who would be in Oz in a flash for a command, just to get out of the crime jungle over there.
As for career progression... it was knocked back in 1990 or thereabouts by the Eastern pilots - QF have yet to open the door again on that.
Best way into QF is to work for Kendell/Rex or similar regional.