We'll draw a line under that side issue then ...
The fact remains that a State with an organised and good ATC structure provided a less than satisfactory situation. That's no criticism of controllers there in any way. It's a criticism that management did not close airspace where ATC was expected and instead allowed a 'do it yourself' separation service to be undertaken.
I somehow think that if NATS did the same for Heathrow Approach due to no staff being available, there would be a bit of jumping up and down by the UK ATCOs on here, and rightly so. Our Ozzie mates should therefore have our support in attacking this unsafe system, as well as being afforded the courtesy of non Oz ATC PPRuNers researching and understanding exactly what the problem is over there.