Quick Facts
Biography
Jacqueline Michelle Ann Lensink (born 20 February 1970) is an Australian politician representing the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia in the South Australian Legislative Council since 26 June 2003.
Education
Lensink was educated at Stirling East Primary School 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:
- Assisting Shadow Minister for Health
- Assisting Shadow Minister for Transport
- Assisting Shadow Minister for Environment & Conservation
- Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse
- Shadow Minister for Security and Infrastructure
- Shadow Minister for Gambling
- Shadow Minister for Government Enterprises
- Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs
- Shadow Minister for Environment & Conservation
- Shadow Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change
- Shadow Minister for Status for Women
- Shadow Minister for Youth
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.
- 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. 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.