Shayne Neumann

Early life

Neumann was born in Ipswich, Queensland. Neither of his parents completed high school; his father was a meatworker and his mother was a shop assistant. In his maiden speech, he stated: "In my childhood, I was exposed to the twin evils of addiction to alcohol and gambling. I lived through the poverty caused thereby and the pain of the divorce which followed."

Neumann attended Ipswich East State Primary School and Bundamba State Secondary College. His first job was as a cleaner at a meatworks in Dinmore. He completed a Bachelors of Arts majoring in government and economics, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland. Shayne was a partner in the Brisbane-based law firm of Neumann and Turnour Lawyers, which he established at the age of 26 in partnership with Matthew Turnour (brother of former Federal MP Jim Turnour). He specialised in family law.

Political career

Neumann has cited the rise of Pauline Hanson in his home town of Ipswich as his motivation for becoming more involved in politics.

Neumann was the Labor candidate for Blair at the 2004 federal election, and was heavily defeated by sitting Liberal member Cameron Thompson who received 61.21 percent of the two-party-preferred vote. Blair was considered a Liberal safe seat at the time.

Neumann sought a rematch in 2007. This time, he was aided by two factors. Firstly, a redistribution of the electoral boundaries, finalised in 2006, pushed Blair further into Ipswich while cutting out the conservative-leaning rural towns of Esk and Kingaroy, roughly halving Thompson's majority and putting Blair just outside the range of seats that Labor would have needed to win government. Secondly, there was a big Labor resurgence across the country at the 2007 federal election under the leadership of Kevin Rudd. This resurgence was at its greatest in Rudd's home state of Queensland. Neumann won the seat on a swing of 10.17 points.

Neumann was re-elected in 2010 with only a modest swing against him. He was re-elected in 2013, actually picking up a small swing in his favour as Labor lost government. In 2016, Neumann technically made Blair a safe Labor seat by taking 58.88 percent of the two-party vote.

Neumann supported Rudd in the Australian Labor Party leadership spill on 26 June 2013. He stated that "it was a really tough decision because I thought it was in the best interests of our state and of the people in my electorate." In Labor's October 2013 leadership spill, Neumann supported Bill Shorten.

Following the ALP's defeat at the 2013 federal election, Neumann served as a shadow minister under opposition leaders Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese, including as a member of Shorten's shadow cabinet from 2013 to 2019. He held the shadow portfolios of Indigenous affairs (2013–2016), ageing (2013–2016), Northern Australia (2016), immigration and border protection (2016–2019), and veterans' affairs and defence personnel (2019–2022). However, he was not included in the Albanese ministry after the ALP won the 2022 election.

Political positions

Neumann is a Christian. He has been described as part of the Labor Right, and as such he was opposed to same sex marriage until late 2015. Neumann had publicly stated his opposition to same sex marriage in August 2011, August 2013, and June 2015. In December 2015, Neumann confirmed his newfound support of same sex marriage. In August 2016, Neumann said he was against the proposed plebiscite on same sex marriage.

Neumann has been against pushes to repeal Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. He said the laws protect free speech, but also protect against racial hatred.

Electoral history

References

References

1. (29 August 2013). "Your complete guide to the federal candidates for Blair". TheChronicle.com.au.
2. "Hon Shayne Neumann MP". Parliament of Australia.
3. (21 February 2008). "Maiden speech: Shayne Neumann". House of Representatives.
4. (21 February 2008). "Pauline made me do it, says new MP". Brisbane Times.
5. [http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2004/guide/blai.htm 2004 Federal Election, Blair Electorate Profile] ([[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]])
6. [http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/blai.htm 2007 Federal Election, Blair Electorate Profile] ([[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]])
7. [http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/website/HouseTppByState-13745.htm Two Party Preferred by State] ([[Australian Electoral Commission. AEC]])
8. [http://results.aec.gov.au/20499/Website/HouseDivisionPage-20499-304.htm Blair, QLD – AEC Tally Room]. [[Australian Electoral Commission]]. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
9. (27 June 2013). "Why we had to back Rudd: Queensland MP". [[The Age]].
10. (10 September 2013). "Shayne backs Shorten as next Labor leader". [[The Queensland Times]].
11. (24 September 2014). "Our Muslims do city proud, says Neumann". [[The Queensland Times]].
12. "Labor's new-look shadow ministry". Special Broadcasting Service.
13. (23 December 2015). "Shayne Neumann now calls for marriage equality". [[Northern Star (Australian newspaper).
14. (6 January 2016). "Marriage equality now five votes away from success after Queensland MP confirms support". [[Star Observer]].
15. (10 August 2011). "Ipswich residents send message to Member for Blair Shayne Neumann that they're against gay marriage". [[The Courier-Mail]].
16. (13 August 2013). "Shayne Neumann says no to gay marriage". [[Brisbane Times]].
17. (2 June 2015). "Same-sex marriage row divides local Ipswich MPs". [[The Queensland Times]].
18. (22 August 2016). "Australians expected to vote on same sex marriage plebiscite in early 2017". [[News.com.au]].
19. (13 August 2014). "Free speech protected under Racial Discrimination Act: Neumann". [[National Indigenous Radio Service]].
20. (2007-12-12). "House of Representatives Division First Preferences".
21. (2010-09-08). "House of Representatives Division First Preferences".
22. (2013-09-26). "House of Representatives Division First Preferences".
23. (2016-07-29). "Blair, QLD - AEC Tally Room".
24. (2019-06-06). "Blair, QLD - AEC Tally Room".
25. (2022-06-14). "Blair, QLD - AEC Tally Room".