Absolutely the travel agent is responsible for chasing up airlines when they have sold a ticket where they is a change or cancellation. The passenger cannot do this as the operating carrier is not authorised to make a change without the agent's approval of that change. This is the reason that we have travel agents to act on our behalf when there is an issue. QF just like any agent was absolutely responsible for following up with QR after receiving instructions from the pax, on what options that QR is offering for rebooking in accordance with EC261. Of course QF cannot act without authorisation, but is responsible for contacting QR for solutions under EC261.

To say a travel agents responsibility ends with the issuing of a ticket is bizarre.

This is pretty much the basis of consumer law. i.e. it is about the delivery of the product not the issuing of a ticket. If you buy a TV to collect in a a few weeks, the shops responsibility does not end at the sale, but at the delivery of the product as ordered. If it cannot deliver the product as ordered it needs to find a solution. Either from its own stock (i.e. QF flights) or from the supplier (QR flights). Yes I know airlines are not JBHifi but sometimes we make it way too complex.

And for where therefore QF agrees - admittedly I could not be bothered to search the QR website but I would imagine it says that same as it is pretty industry standard with cancellations.
"If your flights were booked through a travel agency or third-party website (for example Webjet or Booking.com), contact these companies directly to discuss your options."

So the operating carrier would expect you to go back to the originating carrier or who ever is acting as the agent to sort it out. Unless it has moved to under the airports control. I am not sure why this is new news, so contentious or why you are so passionate about this.

KF