[1] He was educated at Heretaunga College in Upper Hutt,[2] and went on to study at Victoria University of Wellington,[3] graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975.
When Tasman MP, and former Labour leader, Bill Rowling announced his retirement Shirley contested the nomination to replace him.
From a field of seven (including John Blincoe, Annette King and Stephen Rainbow) he was selected as Labour's candidate.
He has previously served as ACT's deputy leader, and in 2004, he was one of four candidates to seek the party's leadership after the retirement of Richard Prebble.
On the retirement of Jonathan Hunt, he sought election as Speaker of the House of Representatives, but placed third behind Margaret Wilson and Clem Simich.