Victoria Minister Paul Edbrooke Identifies Firefighter ID on Threat Bullet

Victorian emergency services minister Paul Edbrooke identified a bullet left on his car as a targeted death threat on Monday. The projectile was etched with the word "RAT" and his former firefighter identification number.

Edbrooke discovered the bullet on his vehicle's bonnet on Saturday after speaking with local residents. The Herald Sun first reported the find on Monday. The Labor minister described himself as shocked and horrified by the discovery, particularly following the recent attack on federal MP Helen Haines. Officials have found no link between the two incidents.

In an interview with ABC Radio Melbourne, Edbrooke noted that his children also drive the same car. He said the specific nature of the ID number raised immediate concerns about surveillance. He asked if he was being followed or if someone knew his schedule. He stated that the combination of his private firefighter ID and the word "RAT" made the message unmistakable.

The minister said the ID number was specific to his firefighting role and would not be known to the general public. He added that he has received aggressive social media messages and threats exclusively from members of the United Firefighters Union.

The union is currently in a dispute with Fire Rescue Victoria, an agency overseen by Edbrooke, regarding an enterprise bargaining agreement. The parties have failed to resolve the contract since 2021. The union is also campaigning against the state Labor government ahead of next month's election. It plans to run a paid advertising campaign, staff polling booths with firefighters, and urge members to rank the party last on their ballots.

The United Firefighters Union is also holding a members' meeting to vote on whether to disaffiliate from the Victorian Labor party. Edbrooke said the bullet would not intimidate him. He stated he thinks of his family and other politicians while remaining active in his community.

Edbrooke warned that such actions could force politicians to rely on more security, reducing their availability to the public. He said Australians should be able to disagree politically at polling booths without facing physical threats.