Victoria Politics: Firefighter ID on Threat Bullet

Victoria Emergency Minister Paul Edbrooke called the discovery a direct death threat after finding a bullet on his car's bonnet on Saturday. The projectile was etched with the word "RAT" and his former firefighter identification number. The Herald Sun first reported the finding on Monday, the day after Edbrooke returned to his vehicle following a community meeting.

In an interview with ABC Radio Melbourne, the Labor politician described himself as shocked and horrified. He noted that his children frequently drive the same vehicle. This detail forced him to consider whether he was being followed or surveilled. He stated that the specific inclusion of his firefighter ID made the message unmistakable to him.

Edbrooke identified the source of the intimidation as the United Firefighters Union. He said that union members were the only group sending him aggressive threats and abuse on social media. He pointed out that his firefighter number is specific to that profession and not widely known to the public.

The threat lands in the middle of a labor dispute. The union is currently seeking action in the Fair Work Commission against Fire Rescue Victoria, an agency Edbrooke oversees. The two parties have failed to resolve their enterprise bargaining agreement since 2021. The union has also launched a campaign against the state Labor government ahead of next month's election.

The union has pledged to run an expensive advertising campaign and to staff polling booths with firefighters. It has authorized material urging voters to rank the Labor party last. The group is also planning a meeting to decide if it will disaffiliate from the Victorian Labor party entirely. Edbrooke said he would not be intimidated by the incident.

He reflected on the recent alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta last week. Although there is no suggestion the two incidents are connected, Edbrooke said the events are unsettling. He warned that such actions could lead to politicians needing more security and being less available to the public.

Edbrooke said he loves getting out in his community and speaking with people face to face. He believes Australians can disagree politically while still having a chat at a polling booth. He fears that incidents like this will make politicians more cautious and less accessible.