Ex-Port Hedland shire president says Adrian McRae should resign after Vladimir Putin endorsement

Adrian McRae is greeted by officials during his recent trip to Moscow. (Supplied: AussieCossack, Telegram)

Port Hedland’s former shire president says a local councillor who travelled to Russia and endorsed president Vladimir Putin’s election win should step down.

Councillor Adrian McRae travelled to Moscow at the invitation of the Russian government as an “independent” election observer.

During an appearance on Russian state television, he praised Mr Putin’s “transparent and comprehensive victory”.

Western leaders have condemned the elections, which saw Mr Putin claim 87 per cent of the vote, as an “insult to democracy”, citing widespread voter intimidation, suppression of opposition groups and polling conducted in areas of occupied Ukraine.

Former Port Hedland shire president Arnold Carter said Cr McRae’s actions were counter to the interests of the mining town, a critical export port for Australia’s mining industry.

“He has his own beliefs — you can have those beliefs and still carry out your duties as a councillor, but not to go to the top ring of Russia,” Mr Carter said.

“The congratulations on being elected [to Mr Putin], that to me it’s erroneous.”

Speaking in Perth this morning, premier Roger Cook said Cr McRae had displayed “regrettable behaviour and even more regrettable commentary”.

“I don’t think that’s the sort of thing we expect our local government authority councillors to get up to; it’s quite disturbing observations as well,” he said.

“He will obviously be counselled by the Town of Port Hedland in terms of his conduct, but I also expect the people of Port Hedland to express their dissatisfaction with that.”

Lunch with Russian ambassador

In a statement, Cr McRae said the invite to be an election observer came about from a meal he had with the Russian ambassador to Australia, Alexey Pavlovsky, in Sydney earlier this year.

“Over lunch, his excellency the ambassador discussed the desire of the Russian government wanting foreign business leaders, journalists and even elected representatives to visit Russia to work as official foreign observers on the upcoming presidential election,” he said.

“I mentioned that I might be going to a multi-polar event in late February, and this sparked his interest enough to recommend having me work as an official foreign observer for the election.

“I paid all of my own costs to be there in Russia, including all food and accommodation, so it was not a paid holiday either.”

Cr McRae said he had disregarded Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade travel advice on multiple occasions before, including travelling to Gallipoli for Anzac Day commemorations in 2003.

He was officially sworn in to the role yesterday and said it was an unexpected win.

“I was surprised to be elected to the Town of Port Hedland council, especially since I was overseas in Russia at the time of the election,” he said in a statement.

“My trip over to Russia clearly had nothing to do with anything Port Hedland council related.”

Mr Carter said Cr McRae should have known his actions could be a reflection on the local government.

“He would know that his responsibilities were once he accepted that nomination,” Mr Carter said.

“He would know his responsibility to the betterment of the town of Port Hedland and also to Australia.”

Cr McRae ran as a candidate in the 2022 federal election in the seat of Durack for the Great Australian Party, founded by former WA senator Rod Culleton.

A spokesman from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) said the Local Government Act set out clear requirements around conduct and managing conflicts of interest.

“The DLGSC understands that Adrian McRae travelled to Russia in a private capacity,” he said.

“We remind all elected members and staff to be aware of their obligations when undertaking public appearances or providing public commentary.”