Tim Picton: Political heavyweight dies in Royal Perth Hospital after assault outside Northbridge nightclub

Political heavyweight Tim Picton has died in a Perth hospital, more than three weeks after an alleged assault outside a Northbridge nightclub.

A family spokesperson confirmed Picton had died early on Monday morning, surrounded by his family.

“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Tim,” the family said in a statement released to The West Australian.

“Tim was a deeply devoted father and loving husband, son, grandson, brother and uncle. His kindness, generosity and humour brought joy to our lives.”

The statement was released on behalf of Tim’s wife Priya, four-year-old daughter Charlotte, parents Fiona and Michael, and his extended family.

They said they had been deeply moved by the outpouring of love and respect shown by Mr Picton’s friends and colleagues across Australia.

They also thanked the first responders at St John’s Ambulance and WA Police who attended to him in Northbridge.

They acknowledged the dedicated care and compassion Mr Picton had been provided by the staff at Royal Perth Hospital’s critical care team, where he had been on life support since the December 27 incident.

“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,’’ his family said.

“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.”

Police previously confirmed Mr Picton was unconscious on the ground when officers arrived about 5.30am the morning after Boxing Day.

He was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital and onto life support but never woke up.

The former Labor party powerbroker joined Mineral Resources in 2022 as director of strategy, and was also an advisory board member of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA.

He was previously the brains behind Labor’s sweeping election in 2021 that took full advantage of Mark McGowan’s personal profile during the COVID pandemic.

He honed his political skills in Victoria, working for former premier Daniel Andrews, before becoming WA Labor secretary and campaign director in 2020.

Mr Picton is the brother of South Australian health minister Chris Picton.

His family has spent the past few weeks by his side in hospital, clinging to hope, until the extent of his brain damage became clear.

It’s understood the 36-year-old father never regained consciousness.

He suffered multiple bleeds, and a fractured skull.

Brodie Jake Dewar, 20, has been charged with grievous bodily harm over the punch that felled Mr Picton and is due to face court again in February.

Mr Dewar was last week charged over another alleged unprovoked assault on a 40-year-old man near the Kalamunda Hotel on December 25 - just two days before he is accused of the attack on Mr Picton.

CCTV of both alleged assaults were shown during in the Magistrates Court on Friday.

“This incident is a stark reminder that split-second acts of violence can have devastating, life-changing consequences,” Assistant Police Commissioner Martin Haime said in December.