Health Minister Greg Hunt reveals death threats against his children amongst NT anti-vaxx protests

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has revealed death threats against his children as he condemned anti-vaccine protesters pursuing the NT chief minister.

The family of the Northern Territory leader Michael Gunner left their home after his personal address was disclosed at an anti-vaccination rally.

Mr Hunt shed a tear as he reflected on the situation at a Covid press conference in Canberra on Wednesday.

‘I’ve never really talked about it. There was a period where the lives of my children were threatened quite openly a few years ago,’ he told reporters.

‘That was a matter of great concern. But we have very fine federal police in this country.’

The Victorian Liberal MP offered strong support to Mr Gunner, the NT Labor leader.

‘Let me condemn clearly, absolutely, unequivocally the attack on Michael Gunner’s house and what would have been deep concerns for his family,’ Mr Hunt said.

‘To those that think violence or the threat of violence is acceptable in any shape or form: it is not.’

Mr Hunt shed a tear as he reflected on anti-vaxx protests which took place in the Northern Territory on Saturday (pictured, a NT protester)

Anti-vaxxers shouted Mr Gunner’s address at a protest in Darwin on Saturday and threatened to attack him for his Covid vaccine mandates.

‘The priority was obviously people knew where we lived, it was at a rally it was on the internet, you had no idea who was watching,’ he told Sky News.

‘My clear instinct was obviously don’t be at the house the advice we received was don’t be at the house and so [my wife] Kristy and [son] Hudson got out of the house.

‘Obviously precautions had to be taken because of the threats that were made and my address was given out, and not just given out, people were encouraged to go to my house.’

Mr Gunner said his wife, a local ABC reporter, was far less worried than him and had to be convinced to leave.

‘Kristy’s probably more of a feisty sort, so she obviously left the house but I think there was a temptation to stay and get her point across,’ he said.

‘Obviously you need to make sure you’re not in danger and I can’t speak for Kristy but obviously Kristy’s a feisty personality.’

The family of territory leader Michael Gunner were forced to leave their home after their address was disclosed at Saturday’s rally (pictured, Saturday’s rally)

Fringe anti-vaccination protesters and lockdown opponents have engaged in violence at protests around the country in recent months with Melbourne experiencing the worst behaviour.

Mr Hunt said Australians needed to relearn the value of respect.

‘I don’t mean holding our parliamentarians up on any pedestal,’ he said.

‘They are not better than anybody but they’re not worse than anybody. They are overwhelmingly public servants that seek to serve the nation.

‘There will be differing views and differing approaches but this view of national tolerance and mutual respect is something I believe in passionately.’