Victoria minister finds bullet marked with firefighter ID on car

A bullet etched with the word "RAT" and a specific firefighter identification number was found on the bonnet of Victorian emergency services minister Paul Edbrooke's car on Saturday. The Herald Sun first reported the discovery on Monday. Edbrooke had just finished speaking with community members when he returned to his vehicle and noticed the object.

The Labor minister described the incident as a direct death threat. He noted that the ID number is unique to his role as a firefighter and would not be known to the general public. Edbrooke told ABC Radio Melbourne that the discovery left him shocked and horrified.

Edbrooke said the specific details of the bullet raised immediate safety concerns for his family. He stated that he began to wonder if he was being followed or surveilled. He emphasized that his children drive the same car, which made the threat feel more personal.

The minister linked the incident to ongoing tensions with the United Firefighters Union. He claimed that the union members are the only group sending him aggressive threats and abuse on social media. The union is currently seeking action in the Fair Work Commission against Fire Rescue Victoria, an agency under Edbrooke's oversight.

The dispute centers on the firefighters' enterprise bargaining agreement, which has remained unresolved since 2021. The union is also running a campaign against the state Labor government ahead of next month's election. It has authorized materials urging voters to rank the party last and plans to staff polling booths with firefighters.

Edbrooke said he does not intend to be intimidated by the event. He referenced the recent attack on federal MP Helen Haines, though there is no suggestion the two incidents are connected. He warned that such actions could lead to politicians requiring more security and becoming less available to the public.