Webjet’s recently ousted general counsel claimed she was fired for alerting the company to alleged “irregularities” in the CEO’s résumé.
Meaghan Simpson, former general counsel and company secretary of the Webjet Group, has filed proceedings in the Federal Court against the travel company for compensation over loss and damages, exemplary damages, and an apology for her 26 June termination.
According to the statement of claim recently filed with the court, Simpson was allegedly ousted because she raised concerns about the group’s chief executive and managing director, Katrina Barry.
This included alleged irregularities between Barry’s résumé, announcements published by Webjet Group, and public records.
While Barry’s résumé recorded that she was director of Westpac Securities and Virgin Active Australia, Simpson alleged she never held directorship of either company. Further, Barry had allegedly not been a co-founder of Virgin Active, as an announcement claimed.
Simpson also alleged Barry had never practised as a lawyer despite an announcement she had started her career in the legal profession.
These concerns were first aired by Simpson to Webjet’s non-executive director Don Clarke in March 2025. She asked for them to be considered a formal whistleblower disclosure in April.
Simpson also flagged concerns she held after a meeting with the lawyer of GoSee – a subsidiary of Webjet – about a proposal to make an offer on behalf of Search Republic Limited to buy back shares.
According to the statement of claim, this buyback was complicated by New Zealand laws and Webjet’s governance rules, but Barry allegedly sent the offer without the lawyer’s assistance or advice.
Simpson sent an email containing these allegations to four directors.
As a result, Barry allegedly excluded Simpson from work relating to her core duties, she was unreasonably excluded from the workplace, and Barry subjected Simpson to vague and unfounded criticisms.
Simpson also alleged Clarke said her whistleblower disclosure “would not achieve anything” and suggested she would be “exited from the business” due to the misalignment with Barry.
On 19 June, Simpson sent an email to three directors in which she stated she would seek legal advice about her obligations to disclose the alleged résumé irregularities to the Australian Stock Exchange or the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
She was terminated with immediate effect seven days later.
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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