Vote of no confidence motion against Town of Port Hedland councillor Adrian McRae fails at special meeting

A vote of no confidence against a newly elected Town of Port Hedland councillor - who made headlines for congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin on his election victory - has failed at a special meeting on Monday night. Councillor Adrian McRae flew to Russia last month to participate as an election scrutineer after being invited by the Russian Ambassador to Australia Alexey Pavlovsky before appearing on Russian state-owned television. Post-election footage published by Channel One State News showed Cr McRae, the former Great Australia Party candidate for Durack in the 2022 election, congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin on “such a transparent and comprehensive victory”. Upon returning from his trip, Mayor Peter Carter put forward a special meeting accusing Mr McRae of breaching councillor code of conduct. On April 22 after more than three hours of tense debate and multiple statements from both councillors and the public, the motion was voted down 6-3. Cr McRae acknowledged during his closing statements that he had “stirred up sentiments and feelings” of the local Ukrainian community and thanked those who had attended the meeting. Multiple Ukrainian locals living in Port Hedland, including some who had been displaced during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, questioned Mr McRae during the special meeting and made statements on how his trip to Russia and pro-Putin comments impacted them. Cr McRae clarified to one member of the public the trip was self-funded, aside from a driver picking him up and driving him to the election, and that he had not met President Putin despite having the opportunity to. Mr Carter and councillors Tim Turner and Ambika Rebello supported the vote of no confidence motion, citing his numerous media interviews and insults to Australian politicians, including WA Premier Roger Cook and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, as “damaging” to the Town of Port Hedland’s reputation. However, councillors Sven Arentz, Lorraine Butson and Ash Christensen argued against the vote of no confidence motion, with Cr Christensen apologising to the public and calling the vote “embarrassing”, wishing it was handled behind closed doors. Councillor Camilo Blanco attempted to hold another vote of no confidence and requested Cr McRae’s name be replaced with Mayor Carter’s name, but the motion did not proceed. Following the special meeting, Australian Federation Ukrainian Oorganisation co-chair Stefan Romaniw OAM said he thanks the Town of Port Hedland Council for showing Cr McRae what a robust democratic actually looks like: accountability, participation and free and fair voting. Cr McRae has praised Russia’s electoral system as ‘transparent’ and one that ‘leaves the Australian system in its wake’, but he should know that the exercise carried out last night would never have happened in Russia,” Mr Romaniw said. “While we are disappointed with the outcome, we are buoyed to see three councillors support this motion and show Adrian McRae that his actions do not reflect the vision, values and standards of behaviour expected of a Town of Port Hedland councillor. “Cr McRae’s views are at odds with the majority of Australians and with Australian values. He has shown total ignorance about the Russian system, and his debut in public life has been entirely dishonourable. “He has damaged his own reputation repeatedly by spouting misinformation and disinformation, which has in turn brought the reputation of Port Hedland and its Council into disrepute. “I hope that Cr McRae learns and evolves so that he can represent the diversity of his community. The impact statements offered to the Council by members of the Ukrainian community in Port Hedland were heartbreaking — they show people who have lived through Russia’s war and sought refuge in Port Hedland, only to be confronted by Cr McRae’s disgraceful views, which privilege fringe lies over fact. “The AFUO looks forward to continuing to work with the Town of Port Hedland to ensure that all residents feel safe and included.”