Bullet marked with firefighter ID number found on Victorian minister's car

Paul Edbrooke, the Victorian minister for emergency services, discovered a bullet on the bonnet of his car on Saturday. The object was etched with the word RAT and his former firefighter identification number. He stated on Monday that the discovery made him fear for his family's safety.

Edbrooke had been speaking with community members when he returned to his vehicle and found the bullet. The Herald Sun was the first to report the incident. The Labor minister told ABC Radio Melbourne that he felt shocked and horrified by the find. He noted that the incident occurred shortly after an alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines, though he said there is no suggestion the two events are linked.

The specific ID number on the bullet was the source of Edbrooke's concern. He explained that the number is specific to firefighters and would not be known to the general public. He said that the only people sending him aggressive threats on social media were members of the United Firefighters Union. This pointed to a targeted message rather than a random act.

The tension between Edbrooke and the union stems from ongoing disputes over the firefighters' enterprise bargaining agreement. The union is currently pursuing action in the Fair Work Commission against Fire Rescue Victoria, an agency Edbrooke oversees. The two parties have been unable to resolve the agreement since 2021. The union has also campaigned against the state Labor government in the lead up to next month's election.

Edbrooke said he was not going to be intimidated by the incident. He referenced the attack in Wangaratta last week and the need for politicians to remain accessible to the public. He warned that such actions could lead to MPs requiring more security, which would reduce their availability to constituents. He ended the interview by saying he thought of his family and other members of parliament.

The union has authorized material urging voters to rank the Labor party last in the upcoming vote. It has also planned a members' meeting to discuss disaffiliating from the Victorian Labor party. Edbrooke said he loves getting out in his community and speaking with people face to face. He said finding the bullet after one such outing left him stunned, but he maintained that he would continue his work.