The most recent recruitment was for planned increases in flying. Sometimes, as has been the case previously, QF recruit to fill up waitlists for projected increases in flying (some 6-9 months down the track) - so they don't necessarily have positions there and then when you apply, but they plan to.
Unfortunately, as we have all seen, the extensions have been never-ending (at least they extended!). Partly because QF knows they spent a small fortune on the process, and starting from scratch serves no real purpose - apart from double-handling a bunch of people they've already proven to be worth the selection process!
I am hearing rumours and so on that there will be some movement late this year (around November)...things are picking up slowly.
If a regional crew member goes for a position externally, they are not given any more preference over someone from the street. Same goes for those at other airlines trying to get in (like NJS, Virgin Blue, etc). But the animal that is Qantas HR can be a strange beast every now and then...