Remember me
Anthony Albanese will give a personal letter to the young daughter of a leading Labor strategist killed after an alleged one-punch attack.
The Prime Minister arrived in Perth on Friday for the funeral of Tim Picton, who died early Monday surrounded by his loved ones after spending three weeks in a coma.
Mr Picton fell after being allegedly assaulted, striking his head on the pavement, with police saying several bystanders rushed to his aid.
As mourners gathered at Optus Stadium on Friday, Albanese penned a letter for Mr Picton's four-year-old daughter Charlotte to remember her late father.
'I have a letter today that I'll give to Priya, Tim's wife, for Charlotte so that when she grows up she has what are some of my personal reflections on her dad,' Albanese told ABC.
'For Tim, Charlotte was the apple of his eye.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Perth for the funeral of Tim Picton (right)
The Prime Minister has penned a personal letter addressed to Mr Picton's young daughter Charlotte
'And to think of Tim's passing… allegedly after a one-punch attack in Northbridge, just so senseless, the circumstances are just horrible.
'It's just so senseless. Senseless violence is just beyond comprehension.'
A former political strategist, Mr Picton played an instrumental role in guiding WA Labor to a landslide 2021 election victory, which left the opposition with just two seats.
He also previously worked with former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and Trade Minister Don Farrell in the federal Gillard government.
Mr Picton's most recent role was strategy director for mining company Mineral Resources.
He was also the brother of South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton, who shared a heartbreaking tribute on Monday.
'Whether it was running an election campaign, securing a mining deal, travelling the world, building magnetic tile castles or breeding fish, Tim never did things by halves - he always gave 200 per cent,' he wrote.
'His razor-sharp strategic mind and natural charisma meant he was always two steps ahead of everyone else.
Tim Picton (left) was an influential Labor campaigner who helped steer then-WA Premier Mark McGowan (centre) to a landslide election win in 2021
Mourners have gathered at Perth's Optus Stadium to remember Tim Picton (pictured)
'But above all, the most important thing to Tim was being a dad. The happiest I ever saw him was when he was with Charlotte.
'Joy overflowed from them both. From fairy dancing to swimming lessons to story time, they shared a magical bond.
'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.'
Brodie Jake Dewar, 20, was charged with grievous bodily harm following the alleged incident. He will appear in court in February.
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