Prominent Labor figure in critical condition after alleged assault
A prominent member of WA’s political and mining communities is in hospital in a serious condition after an assault in Perth’s inner city in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A prominent member of the nation’s political and mining communities remains in hospital in a serious condition after an assault in Perth’s inner city, while his alleged attacker has been released on strict bail conditions.
The victim suffered a head injury after being knocked unconscious on the street outside a nightclub in Northbridge in the early hours of Saturday morning.
9 News Perth has identified the victim as Tim Picton, a director at mining giant Mineral Resources and a former political advisor for the Labor party in South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
The 36-year-old was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition and is being treated for life-threatening injuries.
Brodie Jake Dewar, 20, has been charged with grievous bodily harm over the incident.
He faced Perth Magistrate’s Court on Sunday where he was granted bail under strict conditions, including surrendering his passport and being told not to consume alcohol.
Despite having no previous criminal history except for traffic convictions, WA Police prosecutors opposed bail for the Lesmurdie man due to the serious nature of the injuries suffered by the victim.
The court was told that Picton was in an induced coma after the alleged attack and had undergone surgery at Royal Perth Hospital with a serious brain bleed and a fractured skull, with a high probability that he’ll have a lifelong disability due to the injury.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Picton began his career in politics in 2009 working in the office of Adelaide MP Amanda Rishworth before taking up a role with South Australian Senator Don Farrell.
He then became an advisor to the South Australian health minister in 2013. He moved to the office of Dan Andrews during his time as Victorian premier, serving as his principal advisor and later as director of strategic communications. His brother Chris Picton is a Minister in the South Australian government.
Picton went on to become WA State Labor Secretary and campaign director in February 2020 where he held the role for more than two years and spearheaded the party’s campaign in 2021, which saw Mark McGowan re-elected in a landslide victory.
He took up the position of executive general manager of corporate affairs at MinRes in July 2022, before being named as the director of strategy for the company the following year.
Picton is also an advisory board member of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.
In a statement, Picton’s family said he remains in hospital in a critical condition.
