The electorate of Leichhardt covers an expansive area of 150 366 square kilometres which stretches from the Papua New Guinea border through Cape York Peninsula to the southern suburbs of Cairns.

The landscape is diverse, encompassing World Heritage listed rainforests, golden beaches and tropical islands, rugged outback terrain and spectacular rivers, falls and watering holes.

Cairns is the main population and administrative centre of the electorate. Other key population centres include Port Douglas, Cooktown, Weipa and the Torres Strait Islands.

The local economy is reliant on tourism, however agriculture and mining are major industries throughout the region.

• Map of Electorate

Named after explorer Friedrich Leichhardt, the seat was first proclaimed in 1949.

Previous Members representing Leichhardt:

• Turnour, J (ALP), 2007 -
• Entsch, W (LP) 1996-2007
• Dodd, P G (ALP) 1993-1996
• Gayler, J (ALP) 1983-1993
• Thomson, D S (NCP/NP) 1975-1983
• Fulton, W J (ALP) 1958-1975
• Bruce, H A (ALP) 1951-1958
• Gilmore, T V (CP) 1949-1951

For further information on the electorate of Leichhardt and other federal, state and local divisions, visit the Australian Electoral Commission website.