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“Upper-cut” comment directed at Tracy Grimshaw

Updated: Objecting to ACA coverage, Travel Agents boss makes it personal and goes too far.

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Comments by a travel industry boss directed at A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw have attracted national headlines,

During an online seminar last Friday Australian Federation of Travel Agents chief executive Jayson Westbury objected to ACA coverage of industry stories.

Telling his members not to watch the show, said, “I won’t ever be watching it again. I think that Tracy Grimshaw needs to be given a firm uppercut or a slap across the face, and I mean that virtually, of course, I wouldn’t want to invoke any violence on anyone.

“But, I mean, some of the behaviour and some of the language that’s being used on that program is just outrageous.”

Nine-owned Sydney Morning Herald reports a recording published on YouTube and AFTA website, was later removed.

ACA has recently reported on travellers facing difficulties in getting refunds from travel agents during the pandemic.

ACA is known for its consumer stories, from shonky businessmen to major exposes. Grimshaw has been host since 2006 winning Walkley Awards and a Gold Logie nomination.

Back in 2009 chef Gordon Ramsay apologised to Grimshaw over remarks he made at a food exhibition, leading to a dressing down from then-CEO David Gyngell. Women’s groups called for sponsors to send the controversial cook back home.

“Tracy, where do I start? You’ve shown me great respect,” he later told her. “An amazing support over the last three or four years. And I”d just like to take this opportunity for the stupid comments, and…deeply mortified that the whole thing has gone this far. My apologies.”

Westbury declined to comment when contacted by Nine’s newspaper.

Nine has been contacted for comment.

Update: “My comments relating to Ms Grimshaw involved a very poor choice of words. I apologise for that choice and accept the language used was completely inappropriate,” said Jayson Westbury.

2 Responses

  1. This bloke has done just as much damage to his industry as ACA has done. He has also diminished his own personal reputation in an industry that employs a greater proportion of women. If he had been smart he could have pulled apart the tacky show and if required the host without resorting to metaphorical implied violence. Lets be honest ACA is hardly the bastion of fine journalism, most of the folk on here could easily have written a credibility shredding speech if asked…

  2. I feel for those who had their travel disrupted due to coronavirus, but there is a time and place for consumer affairs stories, and it is not on a current affairs show. Current affairs programs are about in-depth analysis of the news of the day. And even though I deleted Nine off my TV, I went onto their website and there were some good stories over the past couple of weeks about coronavirus, but has since gone back to the usual rubbish.

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