RHS ATPL flight test
Not sure about the legal technicalities in Aus, but to give yet another example from the more enlightened side of the ditch (which I'd bet will apply), it's acceptable to do a NZCAA ATPL flight test from the right hand seat of a qualifying sim/aircraft and this is routinely done by NZ airlines when issuing ATPLs to line FOs in advance of a command upgrade. A pilot can command an aircraft regardless of their seating position (they could even be in the jump seat), so I don't see why there is a debate?
As for the requirement to do a flight test - about bloody time - previous system was inappropriate. I'm sure NZCAA will be pleased the floodgates have been shut on TTMRA flight test dodgers.