A Western Australian politician has appeared on Russian state media to congratulate President Vladimir Putin on his election win.
Putin claimed a landslide 87.28 per cent win for his fifth term in office last week, with several Western governments criticising the election as unfair and undemocratic.
Adrian McRae was elected as a councillor for Port Hedland — a town approximately 1,800km north of Perth — in early March.
He was reportedly flown to Moscow as part of an international delegation observing the presidential election.
In a news package published by Channel One State News, McRae praised the 71-year-old’s “comprehensive” victory.
“Can I please pass on my most sincere congratulations to Mr Vladimir Putin,” he said.
“In my lifetime, the world has never seen such a transparent and comprehensive victory as what we saw here over the last three days.”
McRae is yet to be sworn in as a member of the council.
His position is at odds with the federal government, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong stating the result was not “credible” and “an insult to democracy”.
The White House said Russia’s elections were “obviously not free nor fair” given how Putin has imprisoned opponents and prevented others from running against him.
Source Agencies
