Qantas does not have a "duty to Australia"...
It is a public company not a public institution.
The shareholders dictate the terms ultimately.
The almost open skies international policy that is driven by our own productivity commission [in parts] allows almost unbridled competition vs. QF
and the travellers are voting with their $$$$. Unless they're business travellers or high frequency flyers it is price driven. Pricing can only come from cost.