In my opinion the problem all stems back to the use pays concept.
In some way, shape, or form, all Australians benefit from aviation; not just the passengers. Ergo, all Australians should pay for the service provided to aviation as a public service provision, not as a way for the government of the day to generate income.
When the raison d'être becomes service provision, rather than income generation, then perhaps we won't see VR offered quite so often, and staffing levels set where they should be.