World

Australian territory leader responds to Sen. Ted Cruz’s criticism of area’s vaccine mandate

The leader of a remote Australian territory has responded to remarks by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) criticizing his administration’s vaccine mandates, telling Cruz, “You know nothing about us.”

Cruz wrote on Twitter on Oct. 14 that he had always considered Australia the “Texas of the Pacific” because of the rugged independence of its citizens. “Individual liberty matters,” he said, describing the current government as “disgraceful & sad.” Gunner tweeted a direct response to Cruz’s previous criticism on Sunday. “We don’t need your lectures. Thanks, mate,” the response read. “You know nothing about us. And if you stand against a life-saving vaccine, then you sure as hell don’t stand with Australia.”

Under Gunner, the Northern Territory has initiated a vaccine mandate that requires workers in customer-facing industries such as retail, hospitality and education to get at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine by Nov. 12 and be booked for a second by Dec. 24. Should citizens not comply, they will not be permitted to return to work and could face a fine over $3,500.

“Vaccination is so important here because we have vulnerable communities and the oldest continuous living culture on the planet to protect,” Gunner added in his note to Cruz. “Nearly 70,000 Texans have tragically died from COVID. There have been zero deaths in the Territory. Did you know that?” Ted Cruz has been fully vaccinated, but opposes any vaccine mandates.

ARTICLE: PAUL MURDOCH

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

PHOTO CREDITS: DALLAS NEWS

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Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

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