BA are relying on Qatar to fill gaps in their network in the east (as well as Australia and NZ). Qatar is blocked from expanding further into Australia, but BA isn't.

I'm biased of course, and this is definitely an armchair comment... but Brisbane has the olympics soon and desperately needs a 2nd Qatar flight, Qantas have no planes left, Malaysia pulled out of Brisbane. BA could fill the gap via KL (or Doha)? Brisbane are currently offering £150m in grants to airlines for new routes.