DEFCON4 is right.....
The office has no sentimentality or loyalty other to itself....
During your career some decisions will go your way and some will not.It's probably a case of being in the right place at the right time or the wrong place at the right time....or..well you know what I mean.
With this, if some crew from Melbourne take up the offer it is a possible win for those who prefer to stay and commute.Their seniority will go up and hopefully that is reflected in their bidding.
Those who go over to the Dugong will get some more money and can give commuting the flick and put up with the downside.It will all depend on personal circumstances I guess as to which you prefer.
Trying to second guess the office is a fruitless and mostly frustrating waste of time.This is basically because they don't know what they're going to do the next day themselves.
Best of luck to all...