The same rule should apply worldwide.
"If" the Airline cannot find suitable applicants to fill the seats then they can offer it to foreigners.
That's why Aussies are working overseas, because CX EK etc cannot find enough locals either suitable or indeed willing to fly, end of story full stop.
Now, are you really telling me there are no suitable applicants to sit in the right seat of a Dash 8 in Australia?
Rubbish.