"What an awesome weekend - 300 points, what a way to start the season."
A disappointed McLaughlin was left ruing what might have been but his speed will give the DJR team Penske outfit confidence heading into the rest of the year.
"I threw it away," McLaughlin said. "Shane was fantastic - his car was very fast.
"I just didn't quite have the pace in the last stint."
Chaz Mostert was third in the Supercheap Ford with James Courtney fourth and New Zealander Fabian Coulthard fifth in the second DJR Team Penske Ford.
Courtney will wait to see if he is punished in a post-race investigation after he spun Simona di Silvestro as she tried to enter pit lane.
Race 2 results
1. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden)
2. Scott McLaughlin (Ford)
3. Chaz Mostert (Ford)
4. James Courtney (Holden)
5. Fabian Coulthard (Ford)
6. Jamie Whincup (Holden)
7. Tim Slade (Holden)
8. Cameron Waters (Ford)
9. Todd Kelly (Nissan)
10. Craig Lowndes (Holden)
Championship Standings
1. Shane van Gisbergen 300
2=. Fabian Coulthard -51
2=. James Courtney -51
4. Chaz Mostert -87
5. Cameron Waters -90
6. Jamie Whincup - 96
7. Scott McLaughlin - 108
8. Craig Lowndes -132
9. Rick Kelly -135
10. Tim Slade -141