Brighton features some of Melbourne’s most loved sites, including: the colourful heritage listed Brighton Beach bathing boxes; Melbourne’s best beaches along Hampton, Brighton and Elwood; and the iconic shopping strips of Hampton Street, Church Street and Ormond Esplanade.

The electorate is mainly located within Bayside City Council; however, Elwood is part of the Port Phillip municipality. Brighton is one of only three electorates in the Victorian Parliament to have existed continuously since 1856. Of the three, it is the only Liberal Party held electorate. Brighton has a rich history in its electoral representatives, which includes former Deputy Liberal Party Leader Louise Asher and former Victorian Treasurer Alan Stockdale, as well as the colourful former Victorian Premier Sir Thomas Bent. James is the fourteenth person to have been elected as the Member for Brighton since 1856.