Construction company John Holland and the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) have decided to terminate their agreements that mandated the use of only three specific labor hire businesses for two significant infrastructure projects. This decision comes after an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) raised concerns about the potential anti-competitive nature of these agreements.

The ACCC's investigation focused on the agreements related to the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace and the M7–M12 integration project in New South Wales. The authority was worried that these agreements limited competition by preventing other labor hire businesses from bidding for work on these projects.

In response to the ACCC's concerns, John Holland has committed to not entering into any future agreements with unions that would restrict its choice of labor hire companies or create preferential arrangements. Additionally, the company will implement a competition law compliance assessment for reviewing agreements with unions and provide staff training on competition law in industrial relations.

ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb emphasized the importance of genuine competition, stating that it relies on businesses making independent decisions and suppliers competing vigorously for work. The ACCC expressed satisfaction that John Holland and the CFMEU addressed the competition concerns by voluntarily terminating the agreements.

John Holland and the CFMEU cooperated fully with the ACCC during the investigation, which was initiated following media reports about the agreements made in December 2023.