‘That’s a death threat’: Victorian minister finds bullet etched with ‘rat’ on car
Victorian Emergency Services and Police Minister Paul Edbrooke has found a bullet etched with the word “rat” and his old firefighting number on his car in what he says is a clear death threat.
The Labor MP phoned authorities after he made the discovery in his electorate of Frankston on Sunday.
Victorian Labor MP Paul Edbrooke has found a bullet etched with the word “rat” on his car. Supplied
Victoria Police’s Security Investigation Unit said it is investigating what it also described as a threat.
Edbrooke, a former firefighter, has been the target of criticism following the state government’s ongoing disputes with the United Firefighters Union (UFU).
He told ABC radio he was shocked to find the bullet was also inscribed with his old firefighting number.
“My kids drive this car and you start thinking ‘Am I being followed? Who knows I’m here? Am I being surveilled?’” he said on Monday.
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“It’s not subtle. That’s a death threat: a bullet with my firefighter ID number on it and the word RAT.“
Edbrooke claimed there was a “small group of people” within the union who thought threats and intimidation were acceptable in achieving their aspiring outcomes.
In a statement, UFU Secretary Peter Marshall condemned the incident and said threats and intimidation had no place in politics or society.
“Firefighters spend every shift protecting life and property,” he said on Monday.
“Threatening anyone, including a minister we strongly disagree with, is the opposite of everything this union stands for. I condemn it without qualification.“
Paul Edbrooke said the bullet was an unsubtle death threat. Joe Armao
Marshall said the union would cooperate with police as it fights the state Labor government’s impact to the emergency services sector with “votes, never with threats”.
On Friday, Marshall had said Edbrooke and Victorian Premier Ben Carroll were “in the gun” ahead of the state election in November.
Explaining the remark, the union secretary said he was referring to the ballot box.
The threat comes amid heightened security after federal independent MP Helen Haines was struck by a car in an alleged deliberate attack outside her electorate office in Wangaratta in regional Victoria last Monday.
She was flown to hospital in critical condition and has had both legs amputated as the accused driver, 43-year-old Brendan Nugent, remains behind bars until his next court date in February.
Carroll and Edbrooke met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett a day after the alleged attack on Haines last week.
Victoria has announced increased security for candidates ahead of the election.
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