AQIS, you could try this one for a discussion on the QF fuel policy.
http://www.pprune.org/australia-new-...el-policy.html
That's why I was loathe to enter into too much discussion. I certainly don't want to get in to the idea of whether it's good or bad. It is what it is and the crew have to work within it as best they can.
I should perhaps have been clearer and specified "destination alternate criteria" as opposed to "alternate criteria" to avoid confusion between the two ports but you are correct in that QF don't generally carry an alternate unless required by weather.
See the linked thread for opinions on that one - the discussion is fraught!
Cheers.