Minister finds 'RAT' bullet on car

Victorian emergency services minister Paul Edbrooke described a bullet left on his vehicle as a death threat after finding the round etched with the word "RAT" and his former firefighter identification number. The incident occurred on Saturday, but the details were not made public until Monday. Edbrooke said the discovery left him fearing for the safety of his family members.

The minister was speaking with community members when he returned to his car and found the bullet resting on the bonnet. He stated that he was shocked by the find, particularly following the alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines the previous week. Although no link has been established between the two events, Edbrooke noted that the timing heightened his concern.

In an interview with ABC Radio Melbourne, Edbrooke explained that the specific ID number was known only to a limited circle of people, not the general public. He identified the United Firefighters Union as the source of aggressive threats and social media abuse directed at him. The union is currently in a dispute with Fire Rescue Victoria, an agency Edbrooke oversees, regarding an enterprise bargaining agreement that has remained unresolved since 2021.

The union has intensified its campaign against the state Labor government in the lead up to next month's election. It has planned an advertising push and intends to staff polling booths with firefighters. The group has also authorized materials urging voters to rank the Labor party last on their ballots. Additionally, the union is organizing a meeting to decide if it will disaffiliate from the Victorian Labor party entirely.

Edbrooke said the incident raised questions about surveillance, asking if he was being followed or watched. He emphasized that his children drive the same vehicle, making the threat feel personal. He described the message as clear: a bullet with his specific ID and the word "rat" constitutes a direct threat to his life.

The minister said he would not be intimidated by the gesture. He referenced the recent events in Wangaratta and the safety of other MPs when discussing the impact of such actions. He warned that these incidents could force politicians to rely more heavily on security details, reducing their availability to the public.

Edbrooke maintained that Australians value face-to-face political engagement. He said people can disagree with a candidate while still sharing a casual conversation. He expressed concern that aggressive tactics like the bullet on the car would erode this democratic tradition.