I did contact qantas yes. After 30 mins they offered me a solution flying via Auckland and Dallas where the first leg was in Economy rather than the Business class I booked. I declined. For this flight, I was unable to check in online (so had to go EVEN earlier to MEL this morning); unable to select seats - basically unable to do all the things you expect to do when you book a business class flight some months in advance!

In terms of the hotel - I had deliberately booked a nice hotel near the Dandenongs (with breakfast, extra) so that I could hike, relax etc. Paid extra for late checkout. Leaving at 5am I lost my breakfast (I assumed the First lounge in Melbourne would have an equivalent - that was wrong), lost my relaxing morning to prepare for a 24 hour journey, lost my late checkout, lost my day hiking and relaxing etc! There is a HUGE difference flying at 7am vs 11pm! And the journey is now 28 hours vs 24 previously!

In terms of arrival in Toronto, I now arrive 7pm day before rather than 7am tomorrow - so need another night hotel unless sleeping on the streets in winter in Canada makes sense. I think not.

It staggers me that Qantas can make such a massive change to a booking at such short notice and then just shrug their shoulders as it it doesn't matter.