Victoria Emergency Services Minister Paul Edbrooke found a bullet engraved with the word RAT
and his former firefighter number on his car in Frankston, prompting a Victoria Police investigation into the threat.
Authorities stated that specialists from the Security Investigation Unit have taken charge of the inquiry into the alleged menace directed at a Victorian MP within the Frankston region. Mr Edbrooke worked as a firefighter in Frankston for 14 years. He also served as the workplace representative for the United Firefighters Union. He said his children drive the targeted car.
Minister Blames Union Over Income Protection Scheme Dispute
Speaking on local radio, the minister said very few people knew his five-digit identification number. He suspected members of the union were responsible. The only people I’m really getting aggressive threats from at the moment are members of that union, he stated.
It’s one thing to be an armchair critic and say what you want from behind a computer. It’s another thing to follow somebody and put something on their car like a bullet.
Paul Edbrooke, Emergency Services Minister
Mr Edbrooke maintained that the hostility stems from a disagreement over an income protection scheme. He asserted that the arrangement should benefit individual firefighters directly rather than funding a union slush fund. That’s what this is about, he said. He rejected suggestions that state policies jeopardize frontline staffing or safety. He stated that this act represents a new low in a pattern of threatening behavior directed at politicians.
United Firefighters Union Condemns the Threat as Police Investigate
The United Firefighters Union has been locked in a dispute regarding an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement. Actions are taking place before the Fair Work Commission. Union Secretary Peter Marshall stated that a Labor administration is currently pursuing the same legal arguments previously run by the Liberals against firefighters.
Mr Marshall added that the minister could resolve the situation immediately. Mr Marshall warned union members that the minister would face political consequences if their members were adversely affected. He also warned Premier Ben Carroll would face political consequences if their members were adversely affected. He later clarified those remarks referred to the electoral process.
Following widespread condemnation of the bullet incident, the union leader forcefully distanced the organization from the intimidation tactics found on the minister’s vehicle.
Threatening anyone, including a minister we strongly disagree with, is the opposite of everything this union stands for. I condemn it without qualification.
Peter Marshall, UFU Victorian branch secretary
Mr Marshall added that whoever placed the bullet does not speak or act for firefighters or for this union. He expressed hope that law enforcement identifies the culprit.
Jess Wilson Condemns Threats Against Emergency Services Minister
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson condemned the intimidation directed at the emergency services minister. She noted that there’s just no place for these sort of threats and intimidation in Victoria or this country.