Michelle Lensink

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

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

From 1994-1996 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 2002-2003 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 in May 2003, Lensink has been a member of many parliamentary committees, and has been appointed to numerous positions in the Shadow Ministry, including:

• Assisting Shadow Minister for Health
• Assisting Shadow Minister for Transport
• Shadow Minister for Status for Women
• Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse
• Shadow Minister for Environment & Conservation
• Shadow Minister for Security and Infrastructure
• Shadow Minister for Gambling
• Shadow Minister for Government Enterprises
• Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs

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

Parliamentary Committee Memberships
09 Jul 2003	01 May 2006	Member	Social Development Committee	50th Parliament
09 Jul 2003		Member	Printing Committee	50th Parliament
22 Oct 2003	06 Apr 2005	Member	Status of Fathers in South Australia	50th Parliament
12 Dec 2005		Acting Chairperson	Assessment and Treatment Services for People with Mental Health Disorders	50th Parliament
02 May 2006	23 Apr 2007	Member	Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee	51st Parliament
02 May 2006	23 Apr 2007	Member	Statutory Authorities Review Committee	51st Parliament
24 Apr 2007		Member	Environment, Resources and Development Committee	51st Parliament
02 Apr 2008	03 Feb 2009	Member	Proposed Sale and Redevelopment of the Glenside Hospital Site	51st Parliament
09 Apr 2008	25 Nov 2008	Member	Impact of Peak Oil on South Australia	51st Parliament

Public activities

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

• MBA Alumni Association, University of Adelaide
• National Trust of South Australia
• University of South Australia Alumni Association
• Asia Pacific Business Council for Women
• Commonwealth Club
• Australian Institute of International Affairs
• Stirling District Residents Association Inc
• The Nora Heysen Foundation Inc
• Australian Biotechnology Students Association (ABSA)
• Business and Professional Women (BPW)
• Australian Federation of University Women
• Friend of the Art Gallery of South Australia
• Hills Disability Housing Association
• Friend of the Helpmann Academy
• Friend of the South Australian Women’s Trust
• Friends of the Stirling Library
• Business and Parliamentary Trust
• Young Women’s Christian Association Committee and Organisational Roles
• Lead Presenter, International Democratic Union Young Leaders’ Forum
• Presenter, 3rd Asia Pacific Young Leaders Conference, Taiwan
• Adelaide 21 – Capital City Steering Committee
• Secondary Students Assessment Board (SSABSA), Politics Subject Advisory Committee
• Premier’s Constitutional Taskforce
• Constitutional Centenary Foundation
• Schools Conventions Organising Group
• Adelaide University Alumni Debater
• Inaugural Member, South Australian Youth Political Forum
• Co-organiser, Youth Environment Forum
• Chair, Public Youth Forum, Mount Barker

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. In March 2006, she was elected for a further 8 year term and was subsequently promoted to the Front Bench in April 2006 as Shadow Minister for Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Status of Women, and Correctional Services.

References

1. ^ Stirling East Primary School

• Michelle Lensink, Parliamentary Profile, parliament.sa.gov.au
• Michelle Lensink, SA Young Liberal Movement, Past President, sayoungliberals.com

External links

• http://www.michellelensink.com/

Persondata
Name	Lensink, Michelle
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Date of birth	20 February 1970
Place of birth
Date of death
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