The problem as I see it is that aviation like the car industry is a world industry. Most people in Australia are not directly pressured by the global realities. Take a tradie, locally employed or have their own ute and tools and never have to worry about their job being off shored. Most plumbers earn more than most pilots by a large margin and yet will probably fly with whomever is cheapest as an example. There are huge sections of our workforce who couldn't give a rats about the economic disadvantage we have by living in Australia. It's an expensive place to live in! But what happens to all those people who rely on others like ourselves when our jobs are off shored? The current debate about Holden closing down production by 2017 will be an indicator of how the Qantas debate will play out. Economic rationalism is fine if you're the winner but not the loser. The circulation of money earned at home primarily stays at home but when those earnings are transferred overseas the cash is lost within our economy. It's a downward spiral and ultimately everyone will suffer and the plumber will be glad to get a phone call and be reluctant to charge the $100 call out fee cause no one can no longer afford it whilst trying to compete on a level playing field.
Ultimately are we all prepared to sacrifice our way of life and standard of living so we can buy cheaper goods and services from overseas? That's the question we need to ask the politicians. Perhaps we could open up their jobs and those of the economic theorists to tender. It's always interesting that the tosses expounding the theory of economic forces are never at risk themselves.