A prominent figure in Western Australian politics and business, Tim Picton, has died in hospital weeks after sustaining serious injuries from an alleged assault outside a Perth nightclub. The incident has prompted discussions about legal proceedings and personal accounts surrounding the event.
Context of the Incident and Its Aftermath
Tim Picton, described as a former Labor strategist and mining boss, was injured on December 27, 2025, following an incident outside a Perth nightclub. He sustained head injuries after falling to the pavement and was admitted to Royal Perth Hospital in critical condition. Weeks later, on January 19, 2026, he died from his injuries. Mr. Picton is the brother of South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton.
The alleged assailant, Brodie Jake Dewar, a 20-year-old man, was initially charged with assaulting Mr. Picton. Mr. Dewar was later charged with a second similar attack that allegedly occurred on Christmas Day in the suburb of Kalamunda.
Accounts of the Night
Details emerging from court proceedings offer conflicting perspectives on the events leading up to the assault.
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Alleged Provocation: Mr. Dewar's lawyer has told the court that Mr. Picton was "repeatedly hitting on" an 18-year-old girl, identified as Mr. Dewar's cousin, at the nightclub. The defense claims Mr. Picton was evicted from the premises due to intoxication and that Mr. Dewar struck Mr. Picton instinctively, believing Mr. Picton was about to attack him.
Police Perspective: Assistant Commissioner Martin Haime stated that police believe Mr. Picton did not know the man charged with his assault.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Decisions
The legal case against Brodie Jake Dewar has seen several developments:
Bail on Manslaughter Charge: In a court appearance, Mr. Dewar was granted bail for the manslaughter charge related to Mr. Picton's death, while bail was denied on some of his other charges. He was released on bail while Mr. Picton remained in a coma.
Revoked Bail: Mr. Dewar's bail was later revoked in January 2026 when he was charged in connection with a second alleged assault on Christmas Day.
Future Hearings: Mr. Dewar is scheduled to return to court.
Wider Impact and Tributes
The death of Tim Picton has led to widespread tributes from the business and political communities.
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Condolences: Western Australian Premier Roger Cook expressed condolences on behalf of the Labor caucus, noting that Mr. Picton's loss would be "felt deeply across WA and Australia."
Professional Acclaim: Colleagues remembered Mr. Picton for his "remarkable ability to grasp complex problems and provide solutions." He had previously worked for federal Tourism and Trade Minister Don Farrell.
Related Incidents and Legal Scrutiny
The case has drawn attention to the issue of "one-punch" laws in Australia. Furthermore, details have emerged regarding Mr. Dewar's alleged involvement in a separate assault prior to the incident with Mr. Picton.
Second Assault Allegation: Mr. Dewar is accused of striking another man unconscious two days before the alleged assault on Mr. Picton. The court heard this incident was filmed and shared on Snapchat.
Conclusion and Unanswered Questions
The death of Tim Picton, a figure of influence in Australian politics and business, marks a tragic end following a serious altercation. While legal proceedings are ongoing, differing accounts of the incident's genesis persist. The case raises questions about the circumstances of the night in question and the legal frameworks surrounding such events. The community continues to mourn his passing while the legal process unfolds.
Sources
9news.com.au: A former Labor figure turned mining boss has died in hospital weeks after he was allegedly assaulted outside a Perth nightclub. He hit his head on the pavement and was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital. He's also the brother of South Australia's Health Minister Chris Picton. After being in an induced coma the father of a four-year-old, Charlotte, has now died. WA Premier Roger Cook posted the whole Labor team were thinking of Picton after the attack.
smh.com.au: Picton can be seen falling to the floor, where he remained still. He will return to court next week. Tim Picton’s accused attacker claims Labor figure hit on 18-year-old cousin before nightclub assault The man accused of fatally attacking Tim Picton claims the influential business and Labor figure was repeatedly hitting on an 18-year-old girl at a Perth nightclub before being evicted from the premises due to intoxication, a court has heard. But in a convoluted turn of events on Friday, the 20-year-old had bail denied on some of his charges, but approved on the manslaughter charge against Picton. He was released on bail while Picton remained in a coma in hospital, but that was revoked in January when he was charged over a second similar attack in the Perth Hills suburb of Kalamunda on Christmas Day.
abc.net.au: Tim Picton died more than three weeks after he was knocked unconscious in Perth's CBD. (Supplied: Mineral Resources) X (formerly Twitter) Former Labor strategist Tim Picton has died after spending weeks in a critical condition in hospital, after an assault outside a Perth nightclub.
Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-19/naustimpictonnc1901/106245850
afr.com: Australia’s business and political community have paid tribute to former Labor powerbroker Tim Picton, who died on Monday, three weeks after an alleged assault outside a Perth nightclub left him with catastrophic injuries. He formerly worked for the Financial Times in London and Hong Kong.
abc.net.au: Mr Dewar's lawyer told the court Mr Picton was making unwanted advances on his cousin and he struck him instinctively as he thought Mr Picton was about to attack him. (Supplied: WA Labor) Police investigation WA Police Assistant Commissioner Martin Haime said Mr Picton did not know the man who has been charged. Tim Picton is the brother of Chris Picton (pictured) the South Australian Health Minister. They told the court if Mr Picton survives, he may have a permanent disability. Police prosecutors told the court Mr Picton may have a permanent disability if he wakes from his coma.
watoday.com.au: His brother is South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton. 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. He had a remarkable ability to grasp complex problems and provide solutions,” he said. Tributes flow for WA Labor election mastermind after death following alleged ‘coward-punch’ Prominent former WA Labor figure Tim Picton died in hospital three weeks after allegedly being coward-punched during a night out in Northbridge on December 27. 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.
abc.net.au: During that court appearance, Mr Dewar's lawyer told the court Mr Picton was making unwanted advances on his cousin and he struck him instinctively as he thought Mr Picton was about to attack him. (Supplied: MinRes) A 20-year-old man accused of assaulting Labor identity Tim Picton has faced court for a separate charge after allegedly striking another man two days prior. The court heard that if Mr Picton survives, he may have a permanent disability. The court heard Mr Dewar knocked the man unconscious before filming him on his phone and sharing it on the social media app Snapchat. Brodie Jake Dewar, 20, is charged with assaulting Tim Picton in Northbridge.
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