They have been growing their dividends for 10 years. So they finally need to bring it down a bit. Why would they go and buy heaps of debt when it is over priced at the moment? They only got through the last GFC because of being conservative. They will get through GFC2 again and pick up debt for bargain prices. Australia is one of the most in-debted countries in the world.
Seriously, think long term people.