If anyone is saying that a pilot faced with an engine shut down should always without fail proceed to the closest airport should lose their pilot licence privileges.
This crew had an emergency. They dealt with it.
The destination airport for which they had briefed the approach lay straight ahead on a normal profile
The pilots are familiar with the destination airport
They could fly a long easy ILS at the destination
The destination runways are larger
The destination airport had RFFS
The aircraft was under control
Yes there was a closer airport. But it:
Does not have RFFS (what if there was fuel leaking in the nacelle, being blown out by the slipstream and igniting on landing?)
Is unfamiliar to the flight crew
Would need to be briefed by the flight crew who probably have never been in there. This briefing would probably take longer that the transit time to YSSY.
Has smaller runways
Has lots of GA traffic.
If there is anyone suggesting that it was a safer option for the Rex crew land at Bankstown airport they are either not a pilot, or shouldn't be one. And should shut up.