In defence of his policy, Mr Gunner today said the lives of vulnerable Territorians, including Aboriginal people, could only be protected through a broadscale mandate.
"If you are anti-mandate, you are absolutely anti-vax," he said.
"I don't care what your personal vaccination status is.
"If you support, champion, give a green light, give comfort to [or] support anybody who argues against the vaccine, you are an anti-vaxxer, absolutely."
Mr Gunner pointed to recent modelling from the Doherty Institute that showed remote communities would remain vulnerable unless vaccination rates among all residents over the age of five reached 80 per cent.
"I think you'll see our vaccine mandate is absolutely crucial to protecting life, particularly Aboriginal life," he said.
"And I will never back away from supporting vaccines and anyone out there who comes for the mandate, you are anti-vax."
