The brother of former Labor campaign strategist Tim Picton has pledged to ensure his four-year-old daughter understands the depth of her father's adoration, following his tragic death in hospital.
A Life Cut Short After Alleged Inner-City Assault
Tim Picton, aged 36, passed away on Monday at Royal Perth Hospital, where he had spent more than three weeks in a coma. The coma resulted from an alleged assault in inner-city Northbridge in the early hours of Saturday, December 27. Picton was found unconscious outside a licensed premises around 5:30am following reports of a disturbance.
His brother, South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton, shared an emotional statement on social media, describing the past weeks as "the worst of our lives." He detailed the family's bedside vigil, stating, "My parents, Tim’s wife, my sister, my wife and Tim’s many friends have been with him, wishing our love would conjure a miracle."
Remembered as a Devoted Father and Brilliant Strategist
Chris Picton remembered his brother as a man who gave "200 per cent" to everything he did, from running election campaigns to building magnetic tile castles with his daughter, Charlotte. "Above all, the most important thing to Tim was being a dad," the Minister wrote.
"The happiest I ever saw him was when he was with Charlotte," he said. "Joy overflowed from them both... In the years ahead we will make sure Charlotte knows just how much Tim adored her, and share with her all the precious memories we have of them together."
Professionally, Picton was hailed as "one of the finest campaigners" Western Australia has ever seen. His career included advisory roles for Senator Don Farrell during the Gillard government and in the office of former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews. He is widely credited as a key architect of WA Labor's landslide 2021 state election victory and Labor's federal win in 2022.
After politics, he worked as strategy director for resources firm Mineral Resources (MinRes) and served on the general council at WA’s Chamber of Minerals and Energy.
Political and Business Tributes Pour In
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and WA Premier Roger Cook were among the political figures to pay tribute. Former WA premier Mark McGowan praised Picton's "razor-sharp strategic mind" and remarkable ability to solve complex problems, stating, "Tim could have achieved anything, nothing was beyond him."
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA) president Nicki Ivory said Picton was a highly respected member of the state's business community, and his passing would weigh heavily on colleagues.
Brodie Dewar, 20, who was charged with grievous bodily harm over the alleged assault, is scheduled to appear in court on February 6.
