I agree jarden. Sending the flights through BNE would be the ideal solution and obviously a Boeing. Also given the fact that all PX's F100 and "Clasic" Dash 8 pilots go to Melbourne for sim cyclics every 6 months, might be another plus to go to MEL.
There is quite a substantial amount of pax that originate from MEL and AKL, who go to POM, largely thanks to the mining industry in PNG.
Another rumor going around PX at the moment is that they are looking closely at the B737-700, for a medium hauler and I did hear that MEL and AKL were possible destinations.