It's probably just Qantas arrogance.
I travelled PER to BNE on an award flight in J. I was travelling with my mum. She moves slowly and with difficulty, so we were boarded early. The Cabin Service Manager told my mum he could see she was travelling with a toy boy. When it was time to order my meal, I was told they were out of my selection, and that if I wanted to be guaranteed a particular meal, I should sit in row 1. I really felt that as far as they were concerned, I should just be grateful they let me on the aircraft.