Minister Claims Union Lost Control After Bullet Threat Found on Car

Victorian Emergency Services Minister Paul Edbrooke has claimed that the United Firefighters Union has lost control of its members after he discovered a bullet engraved with his firefighter ID number and the word 'RAT' on the bonnet of his family car.

Edbrooke, a former firefighter, stated he was shocked and horrified to find the bullet on his car on Saturday after a professional engagement in Melbourne. He expressed distress over the potential danger to his children, who also use the vehicle.

"It's a car they drive... it could have been them that found the bullet and that terrifies me," Edbrooke said, alleging that the bullet was left by disgruntled union members.

He believes the act indicates a loss of control within the union, citing "very unpleasant" personal interactions and social media exchanges as evidence.

Victoria Police confirmed that detectives are investigating the incident, which was reported on Sunday.

Union secretary Peter Marshall condemned the threat, stating that whoever was responsible does not represent the union or firefighters. "Threatening anyone, including a minister we strongly disagree with, is the opposite of everything this union stands for," Marshall said in a statement, adding that the organization would cooperate fully with the police investigation.

However, Edbrooke pointed to the union's vocal opposition to government policies, referencing language used by Marshall at a recent rally. Marshall had stated in a video posted on the union's social media, "You affect our members, you're in the gun." Edbrooke interpreted this as a threat with "repercussions."

Marshall later clarified that his remarks were directed at the ballot box, accusing the government of seeking to weaken minimum staffing and employee protections. He emphasized that these protections are crucial for firefighter safety, especially heading into fire season, and that the union's case would be made through votes, not threats.

Relations between the union and the Labor government have been strained in recent years due to a pay dispute and concerns that underfunding jeopardizes firefighter safety. Edbrooke denied that pay and conditions were under threat, attributing the conflict to his refusal to approve taxpayer funds for a union income protection fund.

The relationship between Marshall and former Labor premier Dan Andrews was previously the subject of an investigation by Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog. The investigation found that Andrews, along with other ministers and public servants, authorized a backroom deal with Marshall to resolve a pay dispute in 2016.