Brian;
There was information published (forget where) that had the tanks been full the aircraft would have been stuck at a lower altitude that would have reduced the range even further.
Wrong; there was speculation published about this on the Plane Talking blog that isn't supported by the facts. What is the SGR for a WW at LRC at non RVSM levels versus normal cruise at RVSM levels?
There is evidence in the CASA report that in the weeks leading up to the accident the PIC flew the same route in the same aircraft and
burnt more fuel than he took off with on the night of the accident. Shouldn't this have rung alarm bells?