scanistralian, maybe you've missed the point about how good the Emirates deal is.
Look at this story that AusBiz Traveller and Ben jumped on.
Emirates plans Perth Airbus A380 flights from mid-2013 - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller
The reason that Emirates can start using A380s on the Perth run from the middle of next year (when an A380 capable gate becomes available at the airport) is that it can top them up with the remnants of the market that Qantas has abandoned.
It is the same process that will see all current or announced Emirates flights from Australia to SE Asia, New Zealand, and Dubai, become A380 services within the next 10 years, by which time an even larger version of the biggest airliner in service is likely to be entering its fleet.
What is happening at Perth is a very good example of what happens when a well run carrier with geographical and financial advantages does a deal, on its own terms, with a poorly run airline full of excuses for not even trying to be the national flag carrier the Qantas Sale Act of 1992 expected it to be.
Emirates will fly Perth A380s from mid 2013 | Plane Talking
They are using it to replace 777s with A380s to fit in all the customers they get from Qantas in Perth. What's the bet they do it all over the country.
What was Qantas is being hung out to dry by Dubai. There is nothing in it for Qantas folk except extermination.