There’ve been two significant developments in the seat of Leichhardt as preparations get well underway for next year’s federal election.

Long-sitting LNP MP Warren Entsch has confirmed he will be retiring from Leichhardt at the election.

Also, Labor is expected to announce a new candidate for the seat: a former NBL basketballer.

The electorate covers a large area including all of Douglas Shire, large parts of Cairns including the city, the entire Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait Islands.

Mr Entsch’s office confirmed to Newsport that he is not seeking pre-selection for the seat at the next federal election.

 The pre-selection process for the seat is currently underway within the LNP and its new candidate is yet to be decided.

“This time it’s for real,” a spokesperson for Mr Entsch told us, referring to the MP’s stated intentions before the last election in 2022, when he had said he wanted to retire but ended up running again under former prime minister Scott Morrison, and being re-elected.

“Warren is definitely not in the race this time,” the spokesperson added.

The seat was reduced to a 3.4 per cent margin from 4.2 per cent in 2022.

“After a long and distinguished career as the member for Leichhardt, it’s time Warren had a well-deserved rest.” 

First elected in Leichhardt 1996, Mr Entsch retired once before, prior to the 2007 general elections. 

He then made a comeback in 2010 and has held the seat since.