The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) welcomes the announcement of a special meeting of the Town of Port Hedland Council on Monday 22 April at 4:30pm to consider a motion of no confidence in the unabashed Putin apologist Councillor Adrian McRae.
“The Council has an opportunity on Monday to reflect community sentiment and show Adrian McRae that his appalling pro-Russia cheerleading has no place in Port Hedland. We hope the motion of no confidence is carried, and that Cr McRae does the right thing and resigns with immediate effect,” said Stefan Romaniw OAM, co-chair of the AFUO.
“Cr McRae’s statements and actions do not reflect the vision, values and standards of behaviour expected of a Town of Port Hedland councillor. A councillor should act with honesty and integrity and avoid damaging the reputation of the local government. Cr McRae has failed on all fronts,” Mr Romaniw continued.
“In response to the overwhelmingly negative public reaction to his comments, Cr McRae has claimed that his fellow Councillors had been calling ‘with messages of support all the time’. We look forward to putting that support to the test and call on Councillors to support the motion of no confidence being proposed by Mayor Peter Carter.
“Cr McRae’s views are out of touch with overwhelming international and Australian opinion that Putin’s Russia is an authoritarian dictatorship – not a democracy. Under his rule, Russia has brutally invaded its sovereign, democratic neighbour – Ukraine – in the largest attack on a European country since World War 2.
“In research conducted in February by the AFUO, 82% of Australians surveyed agreed that Russia should end its invasion and leave Ukraine’s territory. 73% agreed that the Ukrainian people are suffering and need Australia’s help to restore peace to their country. These figures show just how out of touch Cr McRae is. We look forward to the Council formally noting this reality,” Mr Romaniw said.
“The meeting to be held on Monday will be important not only to the people of Port Hedland but also to the Ukrainians who reside in the town. We have heard of the distress caused by Cr McRae’s comments, which promote a Russian propaganda exercise over fact,” Mr Romaniw said.
In speaking about the impact on her life of Russia’s genocidal ambitions, local Port Hedland resident Natalia Klymenko noted that she has twice had to abandon her home and job in Ukraine in the last decade.
“Like Australia, Ukraine is a peaceful nation — but one that is again being subjected to unprovoked, brutal aggression from Russia. I am upset to hear the same Kremlin narratives used by Cr McRae here in sunny Port Hedland which is full of friendly and kind-hearted people,” said Ms Klymenko.
