Disgraced WA MP Barry Urban dies from injuries following alleged assault in Perth

A former MP who was pursuing a fresh start in the tyre industry after his release from prison has died after an alleged assault.

Controversial former West Australian MP Barry Urban has died, three months after he was allegedly assaulted outside his workplace in Perth’s south east.

Mr Urban, 56, was allegedly knocked to the ground by a man after what witnesses described as a heated disagreement at Kelmscott auto repair shop Tyre Brigade, which the former MP managed, in November.

A 25-year-old man is accused of punching Mr Urban to the head, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground.

Former West Australian MP Barry Urban has died. Picture: ABC

Mr Urban was taken to Royal Perth Hospital and placed into an induced coma.

On Sunday, WA Premier Roger Cook confirmed Mr Urban had died from his injuries in hospital on Saturday night.

The former member for Darling Range resigned from parliament in 2017 and was subsequently jailed after being exposed for wearing fake service medals and lying about his qualifications.

Once a member of Mark McGowan’s Labor government, Mr Urban falsely claimed to have been awarded war medals for investigating war crimes and even lied to a parliamentary committee about his service record.

Mr Urban was also found to have forged university degrees while applying to join the state’s police force.

He was then charged with 12 offences by WA Police major fraud squad and received a three-year jail sentence.

Former West Australian MP Barry Urban had been allegedly assaulted at his workplace in Perth in November. Picture: Supplied

It’s understood Mr Urban has been a Tyre Brigade employee since his release from prison in 2023.

Mr Cook extended his condolences to the family of the former Labor politician

“Unfortunately, (Mr Urban) succumbed to his injuries and police are now obviously reviewing the charges in relation to that incident,“ Mr Cook said.

“Barry … was someone of perhaps flawed character, none of us are perfect but he was part of the WA Labor family so we’re very sad for him and his family.

“He was a very jovial guy, a very likeable guy and someone who had his troubles.”

A 25-year-old man is expected to face court in Perth on Sunday after his charges were upgraded to manslaughter following Mr Urban’s death.

He was previously charged with grievous bodily harm and reckless driving after allegedly almost running over a bystander while attempting to flee the scene.