CX offers coach fares via HKG as an alternative to the direct flights offered by other carriers North America-Australia. The longer flight time might deter some from taking CX so CX throws in a savings even though it is not as there are longer flying times involved. But these fares sell quite well.

When it comes to Business Class and First Class fares however, it is a different ballgame. The direct published fares will work out cheaper than CX. CX does not have to 'deter' a business person to take its longer flight via HKG. The theory is that if you're already paying for J or F, you'd want to take the best possible route to your destination. That said however, CX does offer some rates for Australia but these are not published and are not on CX leverage. They can only be bought at certain ethnic asian travel agencies. Overall the cost savings isn't that much better (some are even more than the direct QF/UA fares) but if you insist, they do exist.