The alleged attacker of Western Australian former labor party campaign director Tim Picton is expected to have his charge upgraded to manslaughter when he appears in court on 6 February 2026, following the death of Picton early yesterday morning (19 January).
Picton was widely known across the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) and also helped drive Western Australia’s labour 2021 election. He also served Mineral Resources’ (ASX:MIN) as strategy director. He was assaulted three weeks ago outside of a nightclub in Perth.
The 36-year-old never regained consciousness following a skull fracture and a severe brain bleed in an alleged one-punch attack on 27 December 2025.
A 20-year-old plumbing apprentice Brodie Jake Dewar was charged in December with grievous bodily harm in relation to the alleged attack, as reported by the Australian Financial Review.
Deware had his bail revoked on 16 January, when he appeared in court over a second alleged assault of a different man which took place on Christmas day. Magistrate Mark Millington described the alleged attacks as “two coward punches,” to the court.
AMEC Chief Executive Warren Pearce says although Picton had been in the resources sector for a short time, he “already made a very big impact”.
“His experience in government and politics made him an essential touch point on all major industry issues, and his view and thinking were sought on every major industry advocacy effort,” Pearce says.
“As a member of AMEC, Tim was a big part of the successful push for a production tax incentive for Australian critical minerals projects and a strong advocate for policies that supported greater investment in local Australian projects.”
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Western Australian Government
