As per newsensations post above.
The new 717s will be used to push the Qlink product on certain new routes/contractual flights and some mainline routes where they no longer operate entirely. I can see them furthering the route structures so when either Qlink or Network are in a position to start taking over said routes or contracts they will.
As per Newsensations post, the flying can be changed at the stroke of a pen. Why would they want to pay a contractor long term when they can have a subsidiary that they own in whole where they will make more of a return. But these kind of changes do not happen over night and im sure that strategy is their long term plan pending results in the short term.
Remember Qlink is just getting Jet Procedures set up in their manuals, Network is about to add RPT to their AOC and the announcement of a new jet type will not be far away. Ever so slowly the above operators will just take back some of the routes operated by Cobham 717's over time if the parameters are right. They have the contract til 2018 so it will be a slow process. Again due process has to take place and mark my words these changes will happen it will just depend on all of the above and some (economy local and world, commodity prices, qantas direction, and lets no forget these spineless managers trying to bid each other against everyone to have "low unit cost") The race to the bottom!! But Qantas are not going to throw away a low cost contractor (cobham) unless they have something set up to take its place in whole or in part.
All pilots in the QF Group need to stand together when these changes come along. If anyone has read the new Virgin agreement you will see their job security clause and career progression clause. Virgin are doing the best to protect their pilots from the industry and each other IMO. Something similar needs to happen in QF Group to weather this kind of shift if and when it occurs.