LambOfGod,
Qantaslink, itself is an airliner. There's no different between the flying on a Dash 8 then on, say, B737...etc
Pilot, and people in general, usually want to see a progressive career. Why else would someone wants to fly a twin when they are flying a single? Or, why would someone wants to fly IFR when they've been flying VFR?
I think having a progression system in Qantaslink to Jetstar, or Mainline is actually GOOD for the company. If you stay with the company as a captain for a certain amount of time, you get an automtic look-at by jetstar/mainline, and instead of jumping through hoops, they can just look at your FT9s. This sure gives people the incentive to stay in Qantaslink, instead of going to Virgin, or other carriers.