My problem though is that getting the plane onto the ground without anyone noticing (which is the only explanation I can think of that ties in the lack of the t

My problem though is that getting the plane onto the ground without anyone noticing (which is the only explanation I can think of that ties in the lack of the transponder to this as well as no followup sightings at, say, major airports). That's a big question, and it suggests a level of clandestine resources I have trouble imagining being the case in Australia.