Michael Gunner fires back at conservative American senator Ted Cruz for criticising vaccine mandate

An Australian leader has fired back at Texas Republican Ted Cruz after he attacked the nation for its ‘disgraceful and sad Covid tyranny’. 

The conservative American senator slammed the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister for introducing a controversial vaccine policy for thousands of workers. 

Michael Gunner announced employees who come into contact with the public – including bar staff and supermarket workers – would be fined $5,000 if they turn up to work unvaccinated from November 12. 

The vaccine policy has sparked a social media frenzy across Australia and the world, with Mr Cruz taking to social media to blast the decision. 

Conservative American senator Ted Cruz (pictured with his daughter) slammed the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister for introducing a controversial vaccine policy for essential workers

The war of words began when Mr Cruz reposted a video of Mr Gunner announcing the Northern Territory’s roadmap out of lockdown to Twitter on Thursday (pictured)

Poll

DO YOU AGREE WITH MANDATORY VACCINES FOR SOME WORKERS?

• Yes – for health care, aged care and hotel quarantine staff 784 votes
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• No – no one should have to 4718 votes

The war of words began when Mr Cruz reposted a video of Mr Gunner announcing the Northern Territory’s roadmap out of lockdown to Twitter on Thursday. 

‘I love the Aussies. Their history of rugged independence is legendary; I’ve always said Australia is the Texas of the Pacific,’ he said. 

‘The Covid tyranny of their current government is disgraceful & sad. Individual liberty matters. I stand with the people of #Australia.’

However, it wasn’t long before Mr Gunner caught wind of the public diss and decided to hit back at Mr Cruz with his own tough response.  

‘G’day from Down Under @TedCruz. Thanks for your interest in the Territory. I’m the Chief Minister. Below are a few facts about COVID down here,’ he wrote. 

Mr Gunner attached a fact sheet to his tweet and began by citing the 70,000 Covid-related deaths reported in Texas throughout the pandemic. 

‘There have been zero deaths in the Territory. Did you know that?’ he questioned. 

However, it wasn’t long before Chief Minister Michael Gunner (pictured) caught wind of the public diss and decided to hit back at Mr Cruz with his own tough response

‘G’day from Down Under @TedCruz. Thanks for your interest in the Territory. I’m the Chief Minister. Below are a few facts about COVID down here,’ Mr Gunner tweeted (pictured)

The chief minister said vaccination was important in the Northern Territory because it was home to some of the oldest and most vulnerable cultures on the planet. 

‘We’ve done whatever it takes to protect the Territory. That’s kept US safe and free,’ Mr Gunner continued. 

‘We have been in lock down for just eight days in 18 months. Our schools and businesses are open. Did you know that?

‘We don’t need your lectures, thanks mate. You know nothing about us. And if you stand against a life-saving vaccine, then you definitely don’t stand with Australia.

‘I love Texans (go Longhorns), but when it comes to Covid, I’m glad we’re nothing like you.’

The chief minister (pictured) defended his newly-announced vaccine mandate which requires essential workers to be fully vaccinated by Christmas Day or risk a $5000 fine

While some Twitter users cheered the chief minister on for the ‘burn’ others agreed with the American senator’s critique of Australia’s ‘Covid tyranny’. 

‘Alas, they’re becoming the North Korea of the Pacific,’ one user agreed. 

‘It’s enough to make me get on a plane and fly to a resort in Mexico with my family to escape. #AustraliaHasFallen,’ another tweeted.

‘Hey, thanks for your concern, Ted, but we’re ok,’ an Australian replied to Mr Cruz. 

‘We’re just here getting vaccinated and looking out for our fellow Australians. 

‘We’ve kept the numbers down so as not to overwhelm our health system – which, by the way, is free.’ 

It comes after the chief minister’s announcement of the mandate for essential workers made headlines across Australia and around the globe.  

Already in NSW and soon to be in Victoria, workers who come into contact with the public are being told to get vaccinated or face being stood down if they cannot work from home. 

While some Twitter users cheered on Mr Gunner (pictured) for the ‘burn’ others agreed with the Mr Cruz’s critique of Australia’s ‘Covid tyranny’

It comes after the chief minister’s announcement of the mandate for essential workers made headlines across Australia and around the globe (pictured, people wait for coffee in Darwin)

The Northern Territory government has now warned local workers to get jabbed or cop a $5,000 fine if they go to work unvaccinated.

Mr Gunner said essential workers, anyone in a face-to-face customer service role, or Territorians working with vulnerable people would cop the fine if they turn up to work without at least one dose by Friday, November 12.

All workers who come into contact with the public or are essential workers must be fully-vaccinated by Christmas Day. 

That puts him just 28 days away from enacting what is believed to be the toughest vaccine mandate in the world.

‘Simply not wanting the vaccine is not a reason [to avoid it],’ Mr Gunner warned.

‘You must receive a Covid-19 vaccine if in the course of your work, you come into contact with vulnerable people, your workplace poses a high risk of infection, or you perform work that is necessary for the operation or maintenance of essential infrastructure or logistics in the Territory,’ he said.

Mr Gunner’s tough ultimatum, which was part of his plan to reopen the Northern Territory’s borders, sparked a social media frenzy identified by the hashtag #Australiahasfallen.

Mr Gunner is just 28 days away from enacting what is believed to be the toughest vaccine mandate in the world (pictured, a man talks to a policeman outside a testing site in Darwin)

While many of the critics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook were locals, at least an equal number seemed to be American or British vaccine sceptics or libertarians. 

Senator Cruz has repeatedly spoken out against vaccine mandates but has insisted he supports the inoculation of US residents. 

The conservative politician recently criticised President Joe Biden for asking the US Labor Department to require businesses with more than 100 employees to all get the jab.

‘While I support the vaccine and have received it, Americans have the right to exercise personal choice when it comes to their health,’ Mr Cruz said.

‘Getting the vaccine is a decision to be made in consultation with one’s doctor, not forced on Americans by the government.’

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