Tributes flow for WA Labor election mastermind after death following alleged ‘coward-punch’

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, which was followed by an outpouring of grief by Labor luminaries and WA business elite led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former WA premier Mark McGowan.

“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Tim, who passed away earlier today, surrounded by his family,” the family 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.

“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.”

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 was also an advisory board member of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.

Labor icons, as well as mining billionaire Chris Ellison, offered public tributes to their former colleague on Monday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Picton had great energy and talent at many levels.

“He helped the Labor Party win because he wanted Labor governments to change the country for the better,” he said.

“Tim should have had many more decades ahead of him. That he has been taken from the world so young is such a cruel tragedy.”

Former WA premier Mark McGowan described Picton as amazingly talented, bright and humorous.

“His intellect, capacity and work ethic were enormous. He had a remarkable ability to grasp complex problems and provide solutions,” he said.

“Tim’s enormous talents are reflected in his success as WA Labor state secretary. Tim then went on to a career in business, where he made a significant contribution to Mineral Resources Limited.

“Tim could have achieved anything; nothing was beyond him. His passing is a loss to the state and nation. I will always be grateful for his work and support for the rest of my life.

“The grief being felt by his family at this time will be immense and boundless. Please know that he was loved and respected by a great many people.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she worked with Picton during his role in the Andrews government and said his biggest contributions were “transport, transport and transport”.

“Tim Picton got Victorians moving. He made a massive difference helping remove dozens of level crossings and getting started on the Metro Tunnel, the West Gate Tunnel, the North East Link, and so much more,” she said.

It is expected police will upgrade the charges against Picton’s alleged attacker, Brodie Jake Dewar, 20, to manslaughter at his next court appearance next month.

Dewar appeared in court last week, where CCTV footage of the incident was played.

It showed Picton standing and talking calmly to a man police allege was Dewar, who then raised his right arm and punched 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”.

In a statement, Ellison expressed Mineral Resources’ profound sadness and praised Picton as an “exceptionally talented and dedicated leader, whose enthusiasm, drive and brilliant mind will leave a lasting legacy.”

“He inspired those around him and his loss will be devastating for colleagues across our business,” he said.

“Tim was a trusted colleague and a friend whose insight and advice I valued greatly. His loss is deeply felt, and I will miss him enormously.”

Picton worked for federal Tourism and Trade Minister Don Farrell early in his career. Farrell took to Facebook to say many stories would be told of Picton’s strategic brilliance, stubborn dedication and incredible intellect.

“To me, he will always be the driven young man who joined my office all those years ago, who remained a trusted friend ever since,” he said.

Premier Roger Cook said the loss would be felt deeply across WA and Australia, and he offered his condolences to his family on behalf of the Labor caucus.

“Tim’s commitment to the Labor cause over many years saw him take on the role as state secretary of WA Labor, leading the party’s victorious 2021 state and 2022 federal election campaigns,” he said.

“Not only was he deeply respected within Labor, he was a good mate to many in the party. We will miss his friendship, warmth and thoughtfulness dearly.”

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