Victorian Minister Calls 'RAT' Bullet on Car a Direct Death Threat

Victoria’s emergency services minister, Paul Edbrooke, stated on Sunday that a bullet left on his vehicle is a direct death threat. The projectile, discovered on the bonnet of his car, was etched with the word "RAT" and his former firefighter identification number.

The Herald Sun first reported the discovery on Monday. Edbrooke, a member of the Labor party, had been meeting with local residents when he returned to his vehicle to find the object. He described his reaction as one of shock and horror, particularly following the alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta the previous week. While Edbrooke noted the timing, he clarified that there is no suggestion the two incidents are connected.

Edbrooke emphasized that the specific firefighter ID number was not widely known to the public. He indicated that the only individuals sending him aggressive online messages and threats were members of the United Firefighters Union. This union is currently engaged in a dispute with Fire Rescue Victoria, an agency Edbrooke oversees. The parties have failed to resolve an enterprise bargaining agreement since 2021.

The union has intensified its opposition to the state Labor government in the lead-up to next month's election. It has authorized materials urging voters to place the party last on their ballots and plans to staff polling booths with firefighters. Additionally, the union is preparing a members' meeting to discuss disaffiliating from the Victorian Labor party.

Edbrooke said the incident forced him to consider surveillance and tracking, asking if he was being followed or if his location was known to others. He noted that his children also drive the same car, adding a layer of personal concern to the political dispute. "You start thinking, 'Am I being followed? Who knows I'm here? Am I being surveilled?'" he told ABC Radio Melbourne.

The minister said he would not be intimidated by the gesture. He referenced the broader democratic process, noting that Australians can disagree politically while still engaging in conversation. Edbrooke warned that such actions could lead to politicians requiring more security and becoming less available to the public. "I'm not going to be intimidated by this," he said.