The marzocchi is low end but has damping, rubber block damping but damping anyway.
The rst does not last time I looked. You know I think youve overlooked alternatives by focusing on these two, Theres a Kona Hoss at my LBS for AU$1000 and a Giant Alias should be around the AU$900-$1000 mark too. The Alias in particular is much better specced than either the Specialized or the Kona and you may also want to look at Haro bikes.