Michelle Lensink

The Honourable
Michelle Lensink
MLC
Member of the Legislative Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 June 2003

Jacqueline Michelle Ann Lensink (born 20 February 1970) is an Australian politician representing the Liberal Party of Australia in the South Australian Legislative Council since 26 June 2003.

Education

Lensink was educated at Stirling East Primary School[1] and Marryatville High School, before attending the University of South Australia, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) in 1991. In 2003 she was awarded an MBA from the University of Adelaide.

Early career

From 1991 to 1994, she worked as a physiotherapist at Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, before moving into the political arena.

From 1994 to 1996 she worked as the policy researcher to the federal member for Sturt, who at the time was also parliamentary secretary to the Shadow Minister for Social Security (with responsibility for Child Support policy), and from 1998–2002, she worked as ministerial adviser to Hon Robert Lawson QC MLC.

From 2002 to 2003 she worked as the executive officer of the Aged Care Association of Australia, SA (formerly ANHECA).

Member of the Legislative Council

Since her appointment to the Legislative Council to replace Liberal MLC Diana Laidlaw in May 2003, Lensink has been a member of many parliamentary committees, and has been appointed to numerous positions in the Shadow Ministry, including:

Since 26 January 2008, she has also been Deputy Leader in the Legislative Council.

Parliamentary Committee Memberships
9 July 2003 1 May 2006 Member Social Development Committee 50th Parliament
9 July 2003 Member Printing Committee 50th Parliament
22 October 2003 6 April 2005 Member Status of Fathers in South Australia 50th Parliament
12 December 2005 Acting
Chairperson 		Assessment and Treatment Services for People with Mental Health Disorders 50th Parliament
2 May 2006 23 April 2007 Member Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee 51st Parliament
2 May 2006 23 April 2007 Member Statutory Authorities Review Committee 51st Parliament
24 April 2007 Member Environment, Resources and Development Committee 51st Parliament
9 April 2008 25 November 2008 Member Select Committee into the Impact of Peak Oil on South Australia 51st Parliament
2 April 2008 3 February 2009 Member Select Committee into the Proposed Sale and Redevelopment of Glenside Hospital Site 51st Parliament
25 March 2009 1 December 2009 Member Select Committee on Tax-payer Funded Government Advertising Campaigns 51st Parliament
24 November 2010 Chairperson Select Committee on Disability Funding 52nd Parliament
18 May 2011 Member Select Committee on Marine Parks in South Australia 52nd Parliament
19 October 2011 Member Select Committee on Land Uses on Lefevre Peninsula 52nd Parliament
2011 Member Budget and Finance Committee 52nd Parliament

Public activities

She has been very heavily involved in a large number community causes, committees and activities.

Political activities

From 1991–1995, Michelle served as a member of the Young Liberal Executive, and in July 1995 she was elected South Australian Young Liberal President where she served for two years. In January 1996, she became the Federal Young Liberal Movement's Treasurer.

In 2001 she was selected at number four on the Liberal Party's Senate ticket for the 2001 Federal Election.

After the retirement of the Honourable Diana Laidlaw, Michelle was selected to fill her casual vacancy and was appointed to the Legislative Council in May 2003. She was elected for a further eight-year term at the 2006 election and was subsequently promoted to the Front Bench as Shadow Minister for Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Status of Women, and Correctional Services. She was re-elected for another eight-year term at the 2014 election. She was at third position on the Liberal ticket in both elections.

References

  1. ↑ Stirling East Primary School

External links