re step 2 above
"Step 2: Get rid of RPT designations. An aviation company either meets the requirements to fly or it doesn't."
Seems crazy that any airline could have done charters day after Brindabella fell over even if not currently doing any RPT, but the likes of Rex had to go through proving flights before they could operate routes such as SYD/COBAR & SYD/MUDGEE on an RPT basis.
See
http://www.pprune.org/australia-new-...-services.html