Mary Therese Hansen was born on 11 January 1966 in Maryborough, 255 kilometres (158 mi) north of the state capital, Brisbane. Her father, Brendan Percival Hansen, OAM (21 August 1922 – 19 December 1999), was a unionist and Australian Labor Party parliamentarian – both federal (member for Wide Bay from 1961 to 1974) and state (member for Maryborough from 1977 to 1983); and her mother Moira Ann Hansen (née O'Sullivan), was a light opera singer and is contributor to the Maryborough arts community. Her parents are both descended from Irish families. Brendan's parents were Percy Hansen and Mary Ann (née Rowley). On 11 June 1960 Brendan and Moira married at St Mary's Catholic Church, Maryborough. Mary Hansen was one of eight children, with her three brothers John, Tim and Jerry and her four sist