Ex-Wiggles CEO alleges in court document blue Wiggle ‘undermined’, excluded’ him before dismissal

Bombshell allegations from the former chief executive of The Wiggles have emerged from federal court documents, including claims he was “undermined” in front of staff and “excluded” from a crucial toy sale meeting before being unceremoniously dumped.

Luke O’Neill is suing the popular children’s entertainment group, its leader and current blue Wiggle Anthony Field and the group’s general counsel Matthew Salgo, lodging an application to the Federal Court alleging “dismissal in contravention of a general protection”.

Mr O’Neill was named the first chief executive of The Wiggles in 2024 but was dismissed just a year later.

Federal court documents – obtained by NewsWire – have shed light on his allegations against the entertainment group ahead of a scheduled case management hearing on September 8.

The Wiggles, Mr Field and Mr Salgo are yet to file a defence, but it is understood the claims will be defended.

In the documents, Mr O’Neill claims he received a written contract outlining his responsibilities as chief executive, starting on March 5, 2024.

His role involved “developing and implementing short and long-term strategies and projects to grow The Wiggles’ revenue”, “developing, implementing and maintaining The Wiggles’ budget”, overseeing the hiring of employees and reviewing financial data, including “costs and operations”.

Mr O’Neill alleges there were lengthy discussions about a bonus plan to work in the business up to the completion of a sale as part of his employment agreement.

This included an annual bonus of 5 per cent of a figure calculated by reference to The Wiggles’ “earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation” and a 7 per cent exit bonus of a figure calculated by reference to the same earnings.

In the documents, Mr O’Neill says he complained to Mr Field in May or June 2024 about his decision to implement a “special bonus plan” for his friend Antonios Arseniou and Callum Hendry-Hodsdon, the boyfriend of Mr Field’s daughter.

Mr O’Neill alleges this determination was made “without approval and in contrast with the usual employee bonus scheme”, which was 15 per cent of base salary paid.

Neither Mr Arseniou or Mr Hendry-Hodsdon are accused of any wrongdoing.

Mr O’Neill further claims he complained to Mr Field in October that same year about the “unnecessary costs” of hiring dancer Zoe Karatzovalis for the group’s shows in Canberra.

Later in December, he complained to The Wiggles’ head of production, Kate Chiodo, about Mr Field’s decision to hire his nephew Seamus Field to work on the music and TV production for Tree of Wisdom, hiring a director from New Zealand and approving air travel costs “on numerous occasions” for a friend of his daughter, Lucia Field.

According to the documents, Mr O’Neill says he then complained in January this year about Mr Field and Ms Chiodo’s decision to make additional hires “not approved by (Mr O’Neill) or (The Wiggles)”.

A month later, Mr O’Neill claims Mr Field questioned his competence in a meeting in front of about 13 staff and “undermined” him.

Further complaints were lodged following the meeting.

In the documents, Mr O’Neill goes on to claim that he was excluded by Mr Field from a meeting with Kmart in April regarding the sale of The Wiggles-branded toys.

He says he complained to The Wiggles director Simon Pryce that same month about his bonus eligibility being “impacted by budget overruns mostly due to (Mr Field’s) conduct”.

He alleges the pair had a conversation where Mr Pryce agreed his performance “justified a salary rise” after July 2025 because The Wiggles’ business had increased from $2m to a forecasted $6.5-7m over the 2025 financial year.

Mr O’Neill says his employment was terminated on May 28.

“The first respondent (The Wiggles) failed to provide any warning, adverse feedback, performance management or otherwise to the applicant (Mr O’Neill) prior to the dismissal,” the documents state.

Mr O’Neill says he was then paid a bonus of $86,266 in July – which was not his “complete” bonus according to his contract.

The documents state Mr O’Neill’s dismissal contravened the Fair Work Act as The Wiggles had “no reasonable basis for the dismissal”.

He is claiming “loss of income, substantial damage to professional reputation, significant damage to future career prospects, hurt, humiliation, anxiety and distress and/or loss of opportunity regarding ongoing bonuses earned with the first respondent (The Wiggles) pursuant to the bonus plan”.

In a statement, a Wiggles spokeswoman said: “For 35 years, The Wiggles have been dedicated to bringing joy, learning and high-quality children’s entertainment to families around the world. Our greatest privilege has always been helping children laugh, sing and dance and creating happy memories for families to share.

“The claim made by Luke O’Neill is currently before the court and will be defended. It is not appropriate that we make any comment until the defence has been filed.”

Mr O’Neill’s legal team has been contacted for comment.