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Prominent former WA Labor figure Tim Picton has died in hospital three weeks after allegedly being coward-punched during a night out in Northbridge on December 27.
His family confirmed his death in a statement released on Monday morning.
Tim Picton with his family.
“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Tim, who passed away earlier today surrounded by his family,” the statement read.
“Tim was a deeply devoted father and loving husband, son, grandson, brother and uncle. His kindness, generosity and humour brought joy to our lives.
“We have been deeply moved by the outpouring of love and respect from friends and colleagues across Australia.
“We will be forever proud of Tim’s many extraordinary achievements and capacity for love, while knowing that he still had so much to give. Above all, Tim was an adoring father to four-year-old Charlotte, the love of his life.
Tim Picton.
“It breaks our hearts to know that Charlotte will grow up without her father by her side, but she will always know how deeply he loved her.
“Tim – we love you, we miss you and we will always carry your memory with us.”
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Picton, 36, was regarded as the architect of some of WA Labor’s biggest successes, including Mark McGowan’s 2021 election win and federal Labor’s resurgence in the state during the 2022 election.
He left politics in 2022 to work for Mineral Resources as a director, but prior to that also worked with the Victorian and South Australian Labor parties. His brother is South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton.
Picton is also an advisory board member of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.
WA Labor state secretary Mark Reed said across the country the entire Labor family was mourning the loss of Picton.
“Tim was one of the finest campaigners we have seen in Western Australia. The 2021 State Election Campaign that he directed will go down in history as one of the great election victories,” he said.
“The party will come together in due course to celebrate his life and achievements.
“Tim was always a source of guidance and advice. He was also a dear friend to many. A life like his, cut so tragically short, deserves to live on in our memories and in our actions.”
Picton’s alleged attacker, Jake Dewar, 20, appeared in court last week, where CCTV footage of the incident was played.
It showed Picton standing talking calmly to a man police allege was Dewar, who then raises his right arm and punches Picton in the face.
The altercation happened about 5.35am outside a club at the intersection of James Street and Mountain Terrace in the Perth entertainment precinct of Northbridge.
Picton was placed in an induced coma and underwent surgery for a serious brain bleed and fractured skull.
Dewar had his bail revoked last week after being charged over another incident which allegedly occurred on Christmas Day, with the magistrate describing both attacks as “coward punches”.
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