It is also worth remembering why EK exists! It is there to ensure the prosperity of the State!
Its only mandates were to operate without the need for ongoing government subsidies and to grow!
What it may not pay in taxes it makes up for as an enabler for the commercial prosperity for Dubai which has virtually no significant natural resources to speak of.
On the other hand Australia has enormous natural resources, and there is no mandate for QF other than to its shareholders... the Government sees QF (and all other airlines) as revenue generators and do not comprehend that with lower costs you get more visitors, bring more dollars to the local economy, creating more wealth which in turn generates more tax... but our Government wants to get paid up front with bugger all downstream vision!
It is not a level playing field, but it is a fact of life!!!