The Wiggles’ former CEO accused the group leader and general counsel of several sensational workplace contraventions, including an alleged failure to pay his full bonus because the funds had instead been directed to an executive’s friends and family members.
Luke O’Neill, inaugural chief executive of The Wiggles, sued the children’s entertainment company in the Federal Court for damages, compensation, and declarations it contravened the Fair Work Act and the Australian Consumer Law between May 2024 and May 2025.
Group leader Anthony Field and general counsel Matthew Salgo allegedly “aided, abetted, counselled or procured”, or had been knowingly concerned or in party to, The Wiggles’ contraventions.
In O’Neill’s concise statement, obtained by Lawyers Weekly, The Wiggles were accused of terminating his employment at the end of May 2025 without having a “reasonable basis” for doing so.
O’Neill said this amounted to an adverse action under the Fair Work Act because The Wiggles failed to provide “any warning, adverse feedback, performance management or otherwise” prior to dismissal.
He further alleged the termination decision was due to a number of complaints he made about Field in the months prior.
Some of those complaints were linked to an alleged failure of The Wiggles to pay his full bonus, which he claimed had been agreed to in September 2024 following “detailed and lengthy” discussions.
In or around April 2025, O’Neill said he complained to director Simon Pryce that his bonus eligibility had been impacted by budget overruns caused by Field’s alleged spending misconduct, including a special bonus plan to a friend and his daughter’s boyfriend.
O’Neill also pointed to Field’s alleged hiring of his nephew, the hiring of a director from New Zealand, and approval of costs for air travel for a friend of his daughter. The former chief executive also took issue with the “unnecessary costs” of hiring performer Zoe Karatzovalis.
Other complaints were made about Field’s allegedly public undermining of O’Neill in front of approximately 13 staff members.
He also believed he was excluded from a meeting with Kmart regarding the sale of branded toys, and had been deliberately cut out of consultations about the removal of a promoter for 2026.
O’Neill claimed by reason of The Wiggles’ contraventions, he has suffered lost income, substantial damage to his professional reputation, significant damage to his future career prospects, and loss of opportunity regarding ongoing bonuses earned with The Wiggles.
He also claimed damages for hurt, humiliation, anxiety, and distress.
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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