After over a decade in the political arena and numerous press interactions, Chris Picton faced his most challenging discourse today.
The Health Minister of South Australia addressed the public for the first time since the tragic passing of his brother, Tim Picton, who succumbed to injuries from a suspected one-punch assault in Perth last month.
“I am beyond furious about what has transpired,” Chris expressed regarding the ordeal.
“The shock of receiving that phone call on a Saturday morning continues to haunt my family and me,” he added.
Tim, aged 36, passed away in the hospital after enduring a coma for three weeks due to the attack.
“While we were told that Tim’s recovery was unlikely, we clung to the hope of a miracle,” Chris reflected.
The 20-year-old charged over the incident has been granted bail, angering the MP.
“I cannot believe that that happened and I think that was a very significant mistake,” Chris said.
Tim, who made a name for himself in Labor’s ranks as a talented political strategist, had a bright future ahead.
“The prime minister said he very easily, at the very least, could have been on the frontbench of federal parliament, and I strongly believe that,” Chris said.
He is survived by his wife Priya and their four-year-old daughter Charlotte.
At a memorial for Tim last week, guests were asked to write their memories of Tim for Charlotte to read when she’s older.
“There’s a hole in our family that is never, ever going to be filled,” Chris said.
As for Chris, he tells 9News that despite the heartache, he’s committed to returning to state parliament should he be re-elected in March and wants to continue serving in the ministry.
“Going through some difficult personal experiences hopefully can make you a better representative, a better leader,” Chris said.
“This is not the sort of thing that you get over, it’s the sort of thing that eventually you learn to live with.”
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