A bullet inscribed with the word 'RAT' was left on the car of Victorian Emergency Services Minister Paul Edbrooke, prompting a police investigation.

What it means

A bullet with the word 'RAT' scratched into it was found on the windscreen of Paul Edbrooke's car in Frankston, prompting a Victoria Police investigation. The bullet also bore Edbrooke's old firefighter identification number, and the minister says he believes he is being followed and fears for his family's safety. Media coverage links the incident to an ongoing dispute involving emergency services, though police have not confirmed a motive.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The core facts — a bullet inscribed 'RAT' left on the minister's car and a Victoria Police investigation — are consistently reported by multiple reputable outlets, including ABC News, The Guardian, 7NEWS and SMH/The Age, all drawing on police and the minister's own statements. The claim is solid as to the event; the threat's origin, meaning and any connection to a union dispute remain under investigation.

How new

This is genuinely new: reports date from 25–26 October 2026 and describe the bullet being found in the days leading up to publication, with no recirculation year attached.

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