Cooking the books
The company has had the crew hotels in MEL and SYD produce new 'crew only' menus, with 'cheaper' meal options. Allowances are based in these new menus.
In the Headland and the Japanese ports the breakfast is at a special rate. If you eat the breakfast these hotels then charge the company the difference between the special rate and the real cost. Thereby, the company saves money because most crew don't eat the breakfasts.
It is all about cost cutting.
Cathay management are despicable.