Branson is the daughter of Max and Barbara Rayner and grew up on a wheat and sheep property near Hallett, South Australia and learned to drive every vehicle including tractors.

[4] In her early twenties, Branson volunteered at a legal aid office near Michigan during an extended trip to the United States.

[7] Another high profile case in which Branson was a judge on the full court that unanimously dismissed an appeal by The Wilderness Society concerning approval of the Gunns pulp mill in Tasmania.

During her time as president Branson supported a federal charter of human rights, same-sex marriage and opposed mandatory detention for asylum seekers.

[4] Branson continued to live in Adelaide, however she had to commute regularly to Sydney and decided to resign 15 months early to spend more time with her husband and elderly parents.