Victorian minister Paul Edbrooke finds bullet marked 'RAT' and firefighter ID on car

Paul Edbrooke, Victoria’s emergency services minister, stated on Sunday that he fears for his family’s safety after finding a bullet etched with the word “RAT” and his former firefighter identification number on his vehicle. The incident occurred on Saturday after Edbrooke returned to his car following a community engagement session. The Herald Sun first reported the discovery on Monday.

Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne, the Labor politician described himself as “shocked” and “horrified” by the find. He noted the timing, which followed an alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines the previous week, though he confirmed there is no suggestion the two incidents are connected. Edbrooke said he speaks with residents face to face regularly and was stunned to discover the object on his bonnet after one such outing.

The minister identified the message as a direct death threat, pointing to the specific details engraved on the metal. “That’s a death threat, a bullet with my firefighter ID number on it and the word ‘rat’,” he said. He emphasized that the ID number is unique to firefighters and is not known to the general public, suggesting the sender had insider knowledge or closely monitored his activities.

Edbrooke said the discovery forced him to ask unsettling questions, such as whether he was being followed or surveilled. He noted that his children also drive the vehicle, adding to his concern. He stated that the only individuals sending him aggressive threats and abuse on social media are members of the United Firefighters Union.

The union is currently in a dispute with Fire Rescue Victoria, an agency overseen by Edbrooke. The parties have failed to resolve an enterprise bargaining agreement since 2021, and the union is pursuing action in the Fair Work Commission. Additionally, the union is campaigning against the state Labor government ahead of next month’s election. It has planned an advertising campaign, staffed polling booths with firefighters, and urged members to place the party last on their ballots.

The union is also holding a meeting to decide whether to disaffiliate entirely from the Victorian Labor party. Edbrooke said he would not be intimidated by the threat. “I’m not going to be intimidated by this,” he said. He warned that such actions could lead to MPs requiring more security and becoming less accessible to the public, eroding the informal democratic interactions that characterize Australian politics.

Edbrooke said he thinks of his family and other members of parliament when considering the implications of the threat. He argued that politicians should be able to engage with the community without fear of physical intimidation, maintaining that political disagreement should not preclude friendly conversation.