Shayne is a proud local. He was born in Ipswich and has lived here all of his life, having attended East Ipswich State School and Bundamba State High School. He and his wife raised two girls locally and they live at Flinders View. 

Shayne was elected to Federal Parliament on 24 November 2007, representing the electorate of Blair, which takes in most of Ipswich and all of the Somerset Region in South East Queensland.

In March 2013, Shayne joined the previous Labor Government's Ministerial team as Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General and Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing. 

In October 2013, Shayne was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Shadow Minister for Ageing. In April 2016, Shayne given the additional portfolio of Northern Australia.

Following the 2016 election, Shayne was the Shadow Minister for Immigration and Border Protection.

Following the 2019 election, Shayne was appointed Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel.

Following the 2022 election Shayne was appointed Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Procedure.

During his time in Parliament, Shayne has served on a number of House of Representatives and Joint Standing Committees. He was Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Committee from October 2010 to May 2013.

Shayne completed his education at the University of Queensland with Law and Arts Degrees, majoring in Government and Economics.

He was a Senior Partner in a successful Brisbane CBD law firm before entering Parliament. He practiced law for about 25 years across a large range of areas and was an accredited Family Law Specialist.

Shayne served on the Board of Queensland Baptist Care, which was responsible for aged care homes and facilities in Ipswich and surrounding areas. He worked with the West Moreton District Health Council to improve the provision of health services in the local community.

He commenced his working life at the Dinmore meatworks and continues to advocate for workers across the electorate. 

Shayne’s other great love is sport. He is an avid Brisbane Broncos supporter in the NRL and is a proud supporter of the Ipswich Jets in the QRL.