Wiggles, ex-chief out of tune over ‘unlawful’ sacking
Adelaide Lang |
The Wiggles are playing hot potato with their former boss, denying claims he was illegally fired after raising concerns about the hiring of friends and family.
Luke O’Neill says he was denied bonuses and excluded from meetings before being dismissed without a reasonable basis by the famous children’s entertainers.
He has launched legal action against the group, blue Wiggle Anthony Field and its general counsel Matthew Salgo in the Federal Court.
No defence has been filed with the court but the band says it intends to “vigorously defend” the allegations.
“There are multiple complaints or inquiries pleaded during the course of the applicant’s employment … all of which are denied,” The Wiggles’ lawyer Bianca Dearing told the court on Monday.
“We’re in the process of taking instructions on the finer points of the defence.”
Justice Michael Lee asked the parties to set out timetabling before a potential hearing in April, noting he was “unclear about how long it will take”.
The court was told the preliminary estimate was three days, but the hearing could take longer if other issues arise.
The Wiggles and its former chief executive will likely attend mediation before the end of the year to see if the issue can be resolved before a hearing, the court was told.
Mr O’Neill claims Field – the sole original Wiggle still performing in the group – questioned his competence and “undermined him” in front of more than a dozen staff at a meeting in February.
The former boss complained about the blue Wiggle’s nephew being hired to work on an upcoming album and a bonus scheme implemented for Field’s friend and daughter’s boyfriend without approval, in contrast to the usual scheme.
Field then allegedly took steps to reduce Mr O’Neill’s roles and responsibilities, according to court documents.
That included excluding him from meetings with department store Kmart about selling branded toys and emailing all staff about an intention to remove a tour promoter without consultation.
Mr O’Neill made multiple other complaints about staffing and other decisions allegedly made by Field without approval.
He eventually complained in April to the group’s director, red Wiggle Simon Pryce, that the decisions were creating budget overruns, endangering his bonus.
Pryce agreed his performance justified a raise after the three-decade-old group’s earnings increased from $2 million in the 2023 financial year to a forecast figure of up to $7 million in 2025.
But Mr O’Neill was fired in May, a decision he says came without a reasonable basis and without any warning or adverse feedback.
He alleges his dismissal was unlawful and an adverse action taken by the Wiggles after he exercised his workplace rights.
The bonus payment of $86,000 he received in July was less than what he was owed, he claimed in court documents.
In a statement, the Wiggles confirmed they deny the accusations by the former CEO.
“The Federal Court claim made by Luke O’Neill contains allegations, which we intend to vigorously defend,” a spokesperson said.
“As this matter is currently before the court, we are unable to comment further at this time. Our focus remains on creating new music, content, touring, and bringing joy to families everywhere.”
Mr O’Neill began working for The Wiggles in a consultancy role in April 2023 before becoming chief executive in January 2024.
The Wiggles formed in 1991 and are among Australia’s top-earning and most widely beloved entertainment groups, winning multiple ARIA awards and being inducted into its hall of fame in 2011.
In 2022 they were recognised for outstanding services to Australian music at the APRA awards.
AAP
