Firefighter ID Marks Car Bullet

A bullet marked with a specific job code sat on a minister's car hood this past weekend.

Paul Edbrooke, the Victorian minister for emergency services, found the object on his vehicle on Saturday. The word "RAT" was etched into the metal, along with his former firefighter identification number. The Herald Sun first reported the discovery on Monday. Edbrooke had just finished speaking with community members when he returned to his car.

The Labor politician described the item as a direct message. He told ABC Radio Melbourne that the combination of the insult and the specific ID number constituted a death threat. He noted that the number is unique to a firefighter and not common knowledge among the general public. Edbrooke said he felt shocked and horrified by the find, a feeling he linked to the recent alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta. Officials have stated there is no known connection between the two incidents.

The situation has raised safety concerns for Edbrooke's household. He noted that his children also drive the vehicle. He said the discovery made him question whether he was being followed or surveilled. The minister pointed to members of the United Firefighters Union as the source of aggressive social media threats and abuse directed at him.

The union is currently in a dispute with the state government. They are pursuing action in the Fair Work Commission against Fire Rescue Victoria, an agency Edbrooke oversees. The parties have failed to reach an agreement on the enterprise bargaining agreement since 2021. The union is also running an advertising campaign ahead of the election next month. They have urged voters to place the Labor party last on their ballots.

The union is also holding a meeting to decide if it will leave the Victorian Labor party entirely. Edbrooke said he will not let the incident change his approach to his role. He plans to continue meeting with voters and eating snacks at polling booths. He warned that such actions could force politicians to rely on more security guards, which would reduce their access to the public.

Edbrooke said he thinks of his family and other politicians when he considers the threat. He believes Australians can disagree politically while still engaging in conversation. He fears that physical intimidation will erode that tradition.