The new 717 config is 12J 90Y.... that is more J class than would be required for most 717 destinations I reckon. By the same token you would think that 8J 150Y is not enough J on the new 737s... They work in mysterious ways at QF.
Yes the OOL flights are mostly regrades and FF tickets in J. There were however a VERY small number of J class customers who got quite upset. There has been a lot less backlash to all Y config on MEL-HBA even though I am sure the J class market on that route would be larger than OOL.