Just mentioned this post to my husband - he shuddered, he always had nightmares of his SYD-NRT flight on JL!

But back on topic, he's flying SYD-HKG-CDG on Nov 19th Y. He's QF Gold. Odds on upgrades?

Americanaddict, the guy who posted in the middle of this thread, is an AA EXP, which is a higher OW ranking than your husband. Your husband's upgrade possibilities are quite low. Before him in upgrade ranking are:
CX Diamonds of all types
CX Golds
OW Emeralds
CX Staff
THEN him (OW Sapphire)

There are heaps of CX Diamonds and Golds (not sure on the SYD loads, but it's not uncommon for a HKG-JFK or HKG-LHR flight to have over 10-15 Diamonds alone onboard, spread between Y, J and F), not to mention OW Emeralds and CX Golds. CX ONLY upgrades for operational (overbooked) reasons. I would say don't even entertain the possibility as a marginal chance in your mind, unfortunately.

Actually the pecking order is as follows:

1. VIPs
2. CX Diamond Invitation
3. CX Diamond
4. CX Golds
5. Oneworld Emeralds (ie Qantas Platinum)
6. Oneworld Sapphire (ie Qantas Gold)

CX staff on staff travel do not get upgrades as far as I know. But operating staff are considered.

As QRC3288 mentioned, CX will only upgrade when the cabin is oversold. If everyone got on but is not oversold, everyone sits at where they are.

You may try calling CX and asking for certain seats in advance though. Sometimes CX may release the emergency exit row for other Oneworld elite members though they may just hold it for their own elite members till check in.