Police investigating after bullet 'death threat' against Victorian minister

In short:

Emergency Services Minister Paul Edbrooke says he found a bullet on his car on Saturday.

The ABC understands a bullet was etched with the word "RAT" and Mr Edbrooke's old firefighter number.

What's next?

Victoria Police are investigating the threat. 

Police are investigating after Victoria's emergency services minister found a bullet on his car bonnet. 

Paul Edbrooke, a former firefighter and the state MP for Frankston, found the bullet on his car on Saturday.

The ABC understands the bullet was inscribed with "RAT" and his old firefighter number, when he returned to his car on Saturday.

Mr Edbrooke said there was a "small minority" of people in the United Firefighters Union (UFU) who thought threats and intimidation were acceptable but that that was not representative of firefighters.

"This is a new low in a pattern of threatening behaviour against politicians and it has been reported to Victoria Police," he said.

"All politicians need to call out these threats and stop campaigning with these UFU members."

The UFU has been locked in an industrial dispute with Fire Rescue Victoria since 2021, with the union currently taking action at the Fair Work Commission over an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

The UFU was contacted for comment.

Victoria Police confirmed its Security Investigation Unit was "investigating a threat against a member of Victorian parliament which is alleged to have occurred in the greater Frankston area".

"Detectives will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident," a police spokesperson said.

Last Monday's attack on federal independent MP Helen Haines outside her electorate office in Wangaratta has drawn attention to the safety of MPs and other officials.

Ms Haines, 65, lost both of her legs after a car struck her in what police believe was a deliberate attack.

Ms Haines remains in a serious but stable condition at the Alfred Hospital.

Ahead of Victoria's state election on November 28, Victoria Police Commissioner Mike Bush has said police were taking a "proactive" approach to the security of politicians and to address any threats that may arise.