Paul Edbrooke Cites Firefighter ID on Bullet Left on Car

Paul Edbrooke, the minister for emergency services in Victoria, said on Sunday that a bullet found on his car constitutes a direct threat to his family. The object, which sat on the vehicle's bonnet, bore the word "RAT" and a specific identification number from Edbrooke's previous career as a firefighter.

The incident became public after The Herald Sun reported the discovery on Monday. Edbrooke described the moment he realized the bullet was there, noting he had just finished speaking with community members. He told ABC Radio Melbourne that he felt "shocked" and "horrified" by the find. The timing followed an alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta the previous week, though officials say the two events are not connected.

The dispute traces back to 2021, when the United Firefighters Union began pursuing action in the Fair Work Commission against Fire Rescue Victoria. Edbrooke oversees that agency. The parties have failed to resolve their enterprise bargaining agreement since that year. The union has recently intensified its campaign against the state Labor government, authorizing material that urges voters to place the party last in next month's election. It also plans a members' meeting to decide whether to disaffiliate from the Victorian Labor party entirely.

Edbrooke stated that the ID number on the bullet was "very specific to a firefighter" and would not be known to the general public. He identified members of the United Firefighters Union as the only group sending him "aggressive threats" and abuse on social media. He noted that the bullet raised questions about surveillance, asking if he was being followed or watched. "You start thinking, 'Am I being followed? Who knows I'm here? Am I being surveilled?'", he said.

The minister emphasized that the specific combination of the ID number and the word "rat" made the message clear. "That's a death threat, a bullet with my firefighter ID number on it and the word 'rat'," Edbrooke said. He acknowledged that his children drive the same car, which added to the concern.

Edbrooke said he would not be cowed by the incident. He recalled thinking of his family and other members of parliament while considering the event. "I'm not going to be intimidated by this," he said. He warned that such actions could lead to politicians requiring more security, making them less available to the public.

The minister described the current political climate as one where Australians can disagree while still engaging in conversation. He noted that he loves getting out in his community and speaking with people face to face. "I'm afraid that with actions like this, we start losing that," he said, referencing the casual nature of political engagement in polling booths.