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October 19, 2021, 7:00 am
Ted Cruz continues to swing wildly at anyone and anything he thinks will score him points with his base, but when he took aim at Australia’s Northern Territory, its leader hit back.
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Over the weekend, the Texas senator retweeted a video of Chief Minister Michael Gunner introducing a strict vaccine mandate, which would require most public-facing workers to get vaccinated or face a $5000 fine.
“I’ve always said Australia is the Texas of the Pacific,” Cruz wrote, citing their “rugged independence.” “The Covid tyrrany of their current government is disgraceful & sad. Individual liberty matters. I stand with the people of #Australia.”
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Of course, there’s no way Cruz doesn’t know that Australia’s fight against the pandemic has been significantly more successful than that of the U.S., and certainly of Texas. Despite having somewhat comparable populations — Texas has approximately 29 million residents whereas Australia has around 25.7 million — over 69,000 Texans have died from COVID whereas the entirety of Australia has seen less than 1500 deaths.
And Gunner wasn’t going to let Cruz’s condescension stand.
The Chief Minister responded with some facts directed at the Texas politician, including that the Northern Territory (with its population of roughly 250,000) has actually seen zero deaths from COVID — something they would undoubtedly prefer to keep true.
“Vaccination is so important here because we have vulnerable communities and the oldest continuous living culture on the planet to protect,” Gunner wrote. “We’ve done whatever it takes to protect the Territory. That’s kept us safe AND free.”
While U.S. lockdowns have been hampered by anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers who think it more important to prove their freedom and draw the pandemic out than act like part of a community, Gunner says the Territory has only been in lockdown for eight days out of 18 months.
“We don’t need your lectures, thanks mate,” he added. “You know nothing about us. And if you stand against a life-saving vaccine, then you sure as hell don’t stand with Australia.”
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. https://t.co/cGFwBP7Nqx pic.twitter.com/mGNyOxlN41
— Michael Gunner (@fanniebay) October 18, 2021
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As much as Texans love to tell people not to mess with them, it seems like Gunner has earned that turn of phrase more than Cruz after this easy little takedown.
*First Published: October 19, 2021, 7:00 am
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