Coronavirus Australia: NT News’ savage response to Victoria virus spike

As Victoria’s coronavirus outbreak continues to worsen, a Northern Territory newspaper has taken a hilarious swipe at the state.

Alex Turner-Cohen

@AlexTurnerCohen

2 min read

June 28, 2020 - 2:20PM

The NT News is well-known for its often hilarious take on current affairs, and Victoria’s spike in coronavirus cases hasn’t been spared.

The state newspaper has unleashed on Victoria, tweeting: “CAN VICTORIA AND TASMANIA SWAP PLEASE? VICTORIA NEEDS TO BE ITS OWN ISLAND RIGHT NOW.”

Just minutes later, an equally as savage tweet came through from the feisty newspaper.

“HEY SCOMO, THE TIME HAS COME FOR #vicxit.”

CAN VICTORIA AND TASMANIA SWAP PLEASE? VICTORIA NEEDS TO BE ITS OWN ISLAND RIGHT NOW
— The NT News (@TheNTNews) June 28, 2020

HEY SCOMO, THE TIME HAS COME FOR #vicxit
— The NT News (@TheNTNews) June 28, 2020

These posts came less than an hour after it was revealed in a press conference that Victoria’s virus numbers are continuing to rise, with 49 new cases recorded overnight.

The state has recorded more cases of coronavirus in the past few days than it has in months, causing many to worry a second wave is here.

Some people had to grudgingly agree with NT News, even though they’re from Victoria.

“Fine with this as a Victorian. Make it happen,” one Twitter user replied.

The coronavirus has revealed some hilarious rivalries between states.

Just last week, news.com.au reported on a dig at South Australia from Victoria’s Premier Dan Andrews.

After a reporter asked about borders opening between Victoria and SA, Mr Andrews replied on live TV: “Why would you wanna go to South Australia?”

“I don’t want to be offensive to South Australians but why would you wanna go there? Holiday here. The best experiences in our nation are right here in Victoria.”

As to be expected, South Australians had a thing or two to say in response.

Hey @DanielAndrewsMP,

1. The Barossa
2. Farmers Union Iced Coffee
3. Crows
4. Zero congestion
5. The food
6. Malls Balls
7. The pageant
8. Fringe festival
9. Fruchocs
10. Kangaroo Island

I can go on. https://t.co/5qs2pmgsbz
— Airlie Walsh (@AirlieWalsh) June 17, 2020

Dear @DanielAndrewsMP.... Show me a better 3 course meal. #SAGreat #SouthAustralia pic.twitter.com/Y1LYUljNTu
— Michael Smyth (@MichaelSmyth_) June 17, 2020

Last month, the ABC got into a spat with its different state offices as they argued over which borders should open.

It all started when ABC Darwin asked “How do you feel about a ‘travel bubble’ for the NT, Western Australia and South Australia?” on its Facebook page.

But other states weren’t having it. Within minutes, ABC Hobart, ABC Melbourne and ABC Sydney fired back, in a bunch of now-deleted comments.

Very quickly, the sledging descended into an all-out war between the official Facebook pages of the national broadcaster.

Oh dear, @abcdarwin has opened a can of worms... loving the interstate rivalry... the abc social media teams not holding back! ðŸ¤£ pic.twitter.com/q253TR0d92
— Shuba Krishnan (@ShubaSKrishnan) May 12, 2020

The writers at the NT News are known for their witty sense of humour, and this isn’t the first time they’ve taken aim at the pandemic.

At the height of the toilet paper panic buying crisis, the paper had an ingenious solution; it left eight pages blank in the middle of its newspaper, as some backup toilet paper for readers.