Bendigo has often been held by both the Australian Labor Party and the conservative parties. Bendigo has had 15 members, the second-highest number (with Denison) of any federal electorate. Famous members have been its first member, Sir John Quick, who was a leading federalist, and Prime Minister Billy Hughes. Hughes, who came from Sydney, represented Bendigo for two terms at a time when the federal Parliament met in Melbourne. John Brumby, who held the seat from 1983 to 1990, later became Premier of Victoria.