number_6, I believe that your answer to 1) is not exactly correct. AFAIK, QF now (since late 2010) checks through only and only if it is on one PNR or if it is to OW airline. I do not think that PR is member of OW. Here is the link that provides all necessary info
http://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/info/201010/1027
workingman, from my experience I believe that QF
will not check the luggage through. Sorry to be a bearer of bad news...