ALR, don't think it was nearly instead of the DC-9.
As I understand it TAA wanted to introduce the Caravelle as a follow on from the Viscount. However, in the totally regulated two airline policy days Ansett didn't want to go jet and a compromise was found with the Lockheed Electra.
Australia didn't get to go jet until the introduction of the Boeing 727 which was followed by the venerable diesel 9.