The shadow minister for Planning, Social Community and Housing, Housing Affordability and Urban Development and Women revealed last night that she had “recently been diagnosed with breast cancer”.

Lensink, who was elected to the Legislative Council in 2003, said she would not need to take leave immediately as a result.

“While this news comes as a shock, cancer affects many in our community and I am grateful for all the work undertaken in this field which provides us with the best chance of beating this disease,” she said.

“I am lucky that my cancer has been detected early, and I am in the care of an excellent specialist.

“Early detection provides the best chance of living beyond cancer, so I want to remind women to have a regular breast screen, and if they notice any breast chances to see their GP as soon as possible.

“While focusing on my health and treatment is my first priority, I will continue my work in the Shadow Ministry and I’m not anticipating that I will need to take leave immediately.”

The news follows the resignation of Labor Upper House MP Irene Pnevmatikos in September 2023, who cited ongoing health issues as the reason behind her departure.

Pnevmatikos was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2022 and had one of her kidneys removed. In an address to parliament last year, she called on her own government to fund more dialysis beds in regional areas.