I do wonder if it would ever be possible that a MAM-type arrangement would eventuate, where EK provide crew to QF, based in DXB? Plenty of Aussies in DXB who might be interested in working for/going back to an Aussie airline but for whatever reason prefer to remain in Dubai (family, connections, lifestyle etc)
Purely speculation of course but I reckon more than a few would jump at it. (Also could work with Aussies doing a 2 yr secondment a la LHR base)
It would be interesting to know if QF would still have to operate by Aussie HR/hiring/recruitment laws if they did sucj a thing or if local rules would apply- I guess the second if the crew were based in DXB. If so, then yes a lot would probably be Asian- but- look at EK. *IF* the package is right, plenty of 'westerners' would apply too. It's not the same as what QF make but once you compare the whole package it's not as different as you may think. Particularly when you factor in rent, (official) tax, job security etc etc