Former Wiggles CEO Luke O’Neill is suing the children’s entertainment group, alleging he was undermined by blue Wiggle Anthony Field and denied a bonus he was owed. Court documents filed in the Federal Court claim Field’s conduct led to unnecessary costs and budget overruns.
O’Neill started as CEO on 8 January 2024, with a written contract dated 5 March 2024 outlining his role. He was to receive an annual bonus of 5% and an exit bonus of 7%, both calculated on the group’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation. O’Neill alleges he was paid a bonus of only $86,266 in July 2025, less than what he was owed.
In his claim, O’Neill says he complained to Field in May or June 2024 about a special bonus plan Field wanted to implement for a friend and his daughter’s boyfriend, contrasting with the usual staff scheme. He also raised concerns about unnecessary costs, including hiring someone for Canberra shows and Field’s decisions on the Tree of Wisdom production, such as hiring a nephew and a director from New Zealand, and approving air travel for his daughter’s friend.
O’Neill said Field questioned his competence in a meeting with about 13 staff in February 2025, “undermining him”. He was also excluded from a meeting with Kmart about Wiggles toys in April 2025. Despite receiving positive feedback from directors and a forecasted rise in business from $2m to $6.5–7m, O’Neill’s employment was terminated on 28 May 2025, which he alleges amounts to adverse action under the Fair Work Act.
The Wiggles, Anthony Field, and general counsel Matthew Salgo have not yet filed a defence. The case is set to be heard by Justice Michael Lee, with a first case management hearing on 8 September.
