He said later he had travelled to Russia as an “independent international observer” after being invited by Russian Ambassador to Australia Aleksey Pavlovsky.

“I was invited to Moscow to participate in an international delegation,” he said.

The Russian embassy told the ABC that McRae, along with many other foreign nationals, took part in the election observation program during the elections of the president of the Russian Federation.

From Russia, McRae told regional newspaper North West Telegraph that he could “write for hours” about “the most ridiculously over-the-top transparency” he witnessed as part of the election process.

“Having run as a candidate in both Australian federal and local government elections, as well as volunteering as a scrutineer for national elections and referendums, I was truly shocked by Russia’s transparency... It leaves the Australian system in its wake.”

Following the election, pro-Putin activist Simeon Boikov, known by his moniker “Aussie Cossack”, posted images of McRae receiving an award — the Badge of Honour — from opposition candidate Sergey Baburin, which he said was “for his efforts in strengthening friendship between Australia and Russia”.

Town of Port Hedland chief executive Carl Askew told the North West Telegraph that McRae had travelled in a personal capacity.

“The town does not comment on the personal activities of elected members,” he said. “All elected members are subject to the town’s code of conduct.”