I wouldn't say it's all bad for top tier pax - the only seats Platinums (and any pax on their PNR) pay for is the emergency exit row, which was never selectable: you had to get to the airport early to snag it.
All other seats are free, such as the twin and up front.
I do see that QF CL gets the same treatment but QF plat and plat one are the same as Skywards Gold!
Skywards Silver/Gold can choose a normal seat, so this is the same as BA?