As I understand it, Airlink is a QF subsidiary company, set up ostensibly to run Qld coastal runs, using BAe146 because of the high cost of operating DC9 & B727, which operated at a loss on those routes and were subsidised by the profitable part of the network (same as now probably).
Airlink owns no aeroplanes, employes no flight crew or engineers, it uses contracted providers. NJS/Cobham being the contractor for some 22 years.
QantasLink is a relatively recent "innovation" employed to provide the travelling public with a seamless regional experience. It just happens to utilise the equipment of Sunnies, Eastern and via Cobham, Airlink.
Cloudsurfing, taking your quote
it must just warm the hearts of qlink crew to see a qlink branded jet taxi past, knowing that it is operated by 'contractors'
a step or two further, it must gall the Mainline Domestic guys to see an A330/B744/A380 trundle past, and vice versa because of course Australian Airlines (TAA) was sold/merged into QF back in the 90s.
The industry isn't what it was, and if not for the advent of LCC and contracting, who's to say if there would be as much activity, and thus pilot etc jobs as there is. It could be better than it is had the status quo from the halcyon days of the two airline agreement lasted. But then again it could be a lot worse.