Could be. But I searched this route a lot (and I mean a *lot*) since around early January. Literally 3 days ago there were first class awards for every day up to January 11 or so. Today there were opening for every day up to Jan 30. So maybe there were a couple of dozen cancelled awards, spread by 2+ every day, and all processed this week. Or something else may be involved.
I am definitely not an expert on AA awards, much less AA awards on Qantas. So I'm just posting my particular experience after searching this route a few dozen times.