Michael Gunner, chief minister of Australia’s Northern Territory, isn’t interested in Ted Cruz’s opinions when it comes to COVID-19 protocols. So on Sunday night, Gunner released a scathing statement clapping back at the Texas senator.
For some context: On Wednesday, Cruz tweeted his disappointment in Australia’s COVID measures, specifically calling out a video of Gunner imposing new vaccine mandates in the territory. Gunner said in the video, “If your job includes interacting with members of the public, then you need to get the jab.”
In response, Cruz tweeted: “I love the Aussies. Their history of rugged independence is legendary; I’ve always said Australia is the Texas of the Pacific. The Covid tyranny of their current government is disgraceful & sad. Individual liberty matters. I stand with the people of #Australia.”
That really irked Gunner, who bit back hard on Sunday, noting he’s proud of how his constituents have handled COVID-19 — especially in comparison to a place like Texas.
“Here are some facts,” the Australian official wrote. “Nearly 70,000 Texans have tragically died from COVID. There have been zero deaths in the [Northern] Territory. Did you know that? Vaccination is so important here because we have vulnerable communities and the oldest continuous living culture on the planet to protect. Did you know that?”
Gunner added that the Northern Territory has “done whatever it takes” to (very successfully) mitigate the spread of COVID, and then shut Cruz down by calling out the senator’s own views on vaccinations.
“We don’t need your lectures, thanks mate,” Gunner wrote. “You know nothing about us. And if you stand against a life-saving vaccine, then you sure as hell don’t stand with Australia. I love Texas (go Longhorns), but when it comes to COVID, I’m glad we are nothing like you.”
See Gunner’s full tweet below.
