Jetconnect is part of the divide and conquer strategy: QF could have chosen to keep one pilot group with international basings, but that would mean negotiating with one union – too big a stick.
In early days, the Jetconnect pilots (mostly ex Ansett Australia) asked AIPA to represent them; they saw the writing on the wall. AIPA dismissed them with barely a thought; in fact, they stopped them wearing Qantas hats because they weren't real Qantas pilots.
Wisdom and foresight by past AIPA leaders could have staved off some unpleasant realities now.