Firefighter ID on Car Bullet

Paul Edbrooke, the Victorian emergency services minister, identified a bullet found on his car as a targeted threat. The projectile, discovered on Saturday, was etched with the word "RAT" and his former firefighter identification number. Edbrooke stated that the specific nature of the ID number indicated the sender knew exactly who he was.

The incident occurred after Edbrooke finished speaking with members of his community. He returned to his vehicle to find the bullet resting on the bonnet. The Herald Sun reported the discovery on Monday. In an interview with ABC Radio Melbourne, the Labor minister described himself as "shocked" and "horrified" by the find.

Edbrooke noted that the incident followed an alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines the previous week. While no direct connection has been established between the two events, the timing heightened his concerns. He said the bullet raised immediate questions about whether he was being followed or surveilled. His worry was compounded by the fact that his children also drive the same car.

The minister pointed to ongoing tensions with the United Firefighters Union as the likely source of the threat. The union is currently taking Fire Rescue Victoria, an agency overseen by Edbrooke, to the Fair Work Commission. The dispute centers on an enterprise bargaining agreement that has remained unresolved since 2021. Edbrooke said that members of the union were the primary individuals sending him aggressive threats and abuse on social media.

The union has intensified its campaign against the state Labor government ahead of next month's election. It has authorized materials urging voters to rank the party last. The group has also vowed to staff polling booths with firefighters and run an expensive advertising campaign. A members' meeting is planned to decide whether to disaffiliate from the Victorian Labor party entirely.

Edbrooke said he would not let the incident change his approach to public engagement. He plans to continue visiting communities and speaking face to face with residents. He warned that if such actions continue, members of parliament may require more security, making them less accessible to the public. He described the current situation as a loss of the informal culture where politicians and voters can disagree while still talking.

The next major political event is the state election, scheduled for next month. The Fair Work Commission hearing regarding the enterprise bargaining agreement is also pending. Edbrooke said he thinks of his family and other members of parliament when he considers the safety implications of the threat.