Victoria minister declares car bullet a targeted death threat

State residents face a new level of physical intimidation in political discourse after Victorian emergency services minister Paul Edbrooke identified a bullet left on his car as a direct threat to his life. The discovery occurred on Saturday when Edbrooke returned to his vehicle after speaking with local community members. He found the projectile resting on the bonnet, marked with the word RAT and his previous firefighter identification number.

Edbrooke told ABC Radio Melbourne that he was shocked and horrified by the find. He noted that his children drive the same car, which raised immediate concerns about surveillance and whether someone was following him. The minister described the object as unmistakable because the ID number is specific to firefighters and not widely known to the general public.

The incident has intensified tensions between the state Labor government and the United Firefighters Union. Edbrooke stated that members of the union have sent him aggressive threats and abuse on social media. The union is currently taking action in the Fair Work Commission against Fire Rescue Victoria, an agency Edbrooke oversees. The two parties have failed to resolve the firefighters enterprise bargaining agreement since 2021.

The union has stepped up its campaign against the ruling party ahead of next month's election. It plans to run an expensive advertising campaign and staff polling booths with firefighters. The organization has also authorized material urging voters to rank the Labor party last. Additionally, the union is planning a meeting to discuss disaffiliating from the Victorian Labor party entirely.

Edbrooke said he will not be intimidated by the incident. He referenced the alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta last week, though officials have not suggested a direct connection between the two events. He expressed concern that such actions could lead to increased security for politicians, making them less accessible to the public.

The minister emphasized the importance of democratic engagement, noting that citizens can disagree politically while still maintaining personal interactions. He warned that physical threats risk eroding this norm, potentially forcing politicians into more isolation. The union has not yet responded publicly to Edbrooke's specific claims about the source of the threats.

The Fair Work Commission hearing regarding the enterprise bargaining agreement remains on its current schedule. The state election is scheduled for next month, where voters will choose their representatives in the Victorian parliament.