Claims of misconduct have surfaced in federal court documents from the former chief executive of The Wiggles, Luke O’Neill. He alleges that he was “undermined” and “excluded” from significant meetings prior to his dismissal, which he contends was carried out unlawfully. O’Neill’s lawsuit targets the children’s entertainment group, its current blue Wiggle, Anthony Field, and general counsel Matthew Salgo. He seeks redress, claiming his termination violated general protections under Australian law.
O’Neill was appointed as the inaugural chief executive of The Wiggles in March 2024, but his tenure was cut short just over a year later. The allegations detailed in his court filing come ahead of a scheduled case management hearing on September 8, 2025. As of now, The Wiggles, Field, and Salgo have yet to submit a formal defense, although it is reported that they intend to contest the claims.
According to the court documents obtained by NewsWire, O’Neill’s responsibilities included crafting strategies to enhance The Wiggles’ revenue and managing the company’s budget. His contract specified a bonus structure that included an annual bonus of 5 percent of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation, along with a 7 percent exit bonus.
O’Neill asserts that tensions began to rise in mid-2024 when he expressed concerns to Field regarding a “special bonus plan” awarded to two employees, which he claims was enacted without proper approval. He alleges this was in stark contrast to the established bonus scheme for employees, which offered 15 percent of their base salary.
In subsequent months, O’Neill raised additional issues regarding hiring practices within the organization, including the recruitment of dancer Zoe Karatzovalis for shows and Field’s decision to hire his nephew, Seamus Field, for a production role. O’Neill voiced concerns about costs associated with these hires and the lack of prior approval for additional staffing.
The situation escalated in January 2025, when O’Neill claims Field questioned his competence in front of approximately 13 staff members. He states that this incident further undermined his position within the company.
In April, O’Neill alleges he was excluded from a crucial meeting with Kmart regarding the sale of The Wiggles-branded toys, which he claims adversely affected his eligibility for bonuses. He also expressed to The Wiggles director Simon Pryce that budget overruns, attributed to Field’s conduct, had negatively impacted his bonus eligibility. During discussions, Pryce reportedly acknowledged that O’Neill’s performance warranted a salary increase due to a significant rise in the company’s projected revenue, climbing from AUD 2 million to an anticipated AUD 6.5-7 million for the fiscal year.
O’Neill’s employment was terminated on May 28, 2025, without prior warning or performance feedback, as he claims. Following his dismissal, he received a bonus payment of AUD 86,266, which he argues was not the full amount owed per his contract. He contends that his termination violated the Fair Work Act due to the absence of a reasonable basis for his dismissal.
In his lawsuit, O’Neill is seeking compensation for lost income, damage to his professional reputation, and emotional distress, including anxiety and humiliation stemming from the situation.
A representative from The Wiggles stated: “For 35 years, The Wiggles have been dedicated to bringing joy, learning, and high-quality children’s entertainment to families around the world. The claim made by Luke O’Neill is currently before the court and will be defended. It is not appropriate for us to comment further until the defense has been filed.”
O’Neill’s legal team has been approached for additional comments on the matter. As the case approaches its initial hearings, the outcome remains uncertain, but the allegations raise significant questions about governance and workplace dynamics within the iconic children’s entertainment group.
