I don't see 1 extra crew on B738 between SYD-BNE during dinner services.
We lost the extra crew on 737 dinner services (except MEL-ADL-MEL) over a year ago. Canberra still has an extra on the 734 on all flights.
They still have lots of time to clean up everything before descending.
You must work for management. We often do not have time to eat or drink on these flights. And with frequent aircraft changes on 35 minute transits between two different concourses please tell me when else we have the ability to eat or drink. Throw in even the smallest stint of turbulence or a medical (or even just a difficult customer) and the service becomes unachievable. It is OK when things run 100% according to plan though we already cut corners and rush to get the service achieved.
Please note I do not think service related items (or safety demo positions!) should factor into discussion relating to crew to pax ratio - I am just responding to these above comments.