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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-03-08 Daily Xml
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Member's Leave

The PRESIDENT (14:25): I have received some correspondence from the Hon. Michelle Lensink MLC. She has asked me to relay her sentiments to the chamber, so I will do that:

Dear Mr President

I wish to thank all Members of the Legislative Council for providing me with maternity leave from my parliamentary duties. I would greatly appreciate you passing on my remarks to the Chamber.

Thanks to the live streaming of Parliament, baby Mitchell and I have been able to check in on the Legislative Council on sitting days to stay informed of debates and Question Time.

I feel very fortunate to have the support of my parliamentary colleagues to enable me to provide Mitchell with the care he needs, particularly as ours is a vocation where the boundaries between work and family time are often blurred.

It is common for first time mothers to underestimate what an intense role caring for a baby is. 'Multi-tasking' has a whole new meaning for me now, but the transition would have been much more difficult were it not for the time the Council has given me.

As well as caring for our son, six months leave has enabled our family to obtain appropriate care which in turn will allow me to return to work.

I wish also to acknowledge the magnificent role being played by my adviser Ms Selena Staude. Selena has shown great leadership in taking responsibility for constituent and portfolio work in my absence, involving a great deal of management and liaison on her part between ministerial offices, acting shadow ministers, statutory offices and whips. She is truly worth her weight in gold.

My family has been overwhelmed by the generosity and goodwill shown towards us since we announced our pregnancy and the birth of Mitchell. We thank everyone for their kind wishes.

I look forward to returning to the Parliament and working alongside you to advance the interests of the South Australian people. Upon my return I will express my thanks to you all personally.

Yours sincerely

Michelle Lensink

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