Michelle Lensink was elected to the Legislative Council in the South Australian Parliament in 2003.

Prior to entering politics, Michelle worked as a physiotherapist, aged care executive and ministerial adviser.

Her parliamentary career has included holding various portfolios including Human Services, Water and the River Murray, Early Childhood Development, Environment and Conservation and the Status of Women

In March 2018, Michelle was appointed Minister for Human Services in the Marshall Liberal Government. For four years she was responsible for a number of frontline policy areas, including homelessness and social housing, domestic and family violence, youth justice, communities, volunteers, disabilities, women and youth.

Since 2022, she has held responsibility for the portfolios of women, planning, housing affordability and urban development and social and community housing.

Michelle is married to cameraman Scott Perry. In 2015 she became the first serving female Member of the Legislative Council to have a baby (Mitchell) giving her living experience of the challenges of juggling a career and family.