Top 20 Stephen Conroy memories and milestones

5. One lane bridge

Stephen Conroy and Kevin Rudd in happier times.

"They are planning to build the broadband equivalent of a Sydney Harbour Bridge with only one lane".

It's the simplistic analogy that has caused many image problem headaches for the Coalition in trying to sell its broadband policy. It has become a very effective counter to the Coalition's own oft-repeated claims of cost blowouts of Labor's NBN ($90 billion anyone?), and Conroy hasn't been shy about rolling the analogy out in his media engagements this year. The only question is, did he get it from reading the troll comments on Opposition communications minister Malcolm Turnbull's own blog?

4. Defeats calls for an NBN cost-benefit analysis

Conroy gives up the Communications portfolio having consistently resisted calls by Malcolm Turnbull for a cost-benefit analysis of the current NBN. Turnbull has been pursuing one since his very first media interview in the shadow communications role. It could even help the NBN's cause, as we pointed out back in 2010. Conroy was still dismissing the need for one as late as April this year. It's probably more realistic to expect a cost-benefit analysis of the Coalition's broadband policy before one on the current NBN.

3. ISP filtering<

Conroy used his first major speech as Communications Minister in early 2008 to make good on an election commitment to introduce ISP-level content filtering.

The type of content caught up by the filter morphed over time, initially creeping to "unwanted material" and P2P traffic, before being scaled back to "Refused Classification" material. Conroy also at one stage tried to have Google censor YouTube, though the web giant wasn't too keen.

The mandatory ISP filtering proposal caused outrage. It riled people up enough to actually protest in real life; it led to Anonymous' Operation Titstorm, and caused a range of government web properties to be defaced or DDoSed. A petition by Electronic Frontiers Australia ran to over 19,000 signatures.

Conroy stood steadfast against the avalanche of criticism, even refusing a request from within Labor to consider making the filter opt-out rather than mandatory.

However, implementation of the filter was delayed in 2010, and then further stalled until mid-2013. Eventually the plan was shelved in November 2012.

Content filtering hasn't died, however, thanks to a new front in the battle — section 313 notices.

2. Red underpants

Conroy's most bizarre comments came at a New York telecommunications conference, and have since entered the telecommunications folklore.

Boasting about his "unfettered legal power" over the local telecommunications industry, Conroy made it clear who wears the pants in the relationship.

"... I'm in charge of spectrum options and if I say to you, everyone in this room you want to bid next week in our [700 MHz] spectrum auction you better wear red underpants on your head, I've got some news for you — you'll be wearing them on your head," he said. "Not many regulators have quite that much power."

Though he got most of Australia's mobile telcos to pay a high price for the spectrum assets (see point nine), it's unclear if any of the bidders wore red underpants on their heads. The Australian Communications and Media Authority, which ran the auction, declined to provide a running commentary on the auction process.

In fact, the only person known to have donned a pair of red underwear is Internode founder Simon Hackett...

1. Longevity

Conroy survived at least one leadership spill and a revolving door of sparring partners from the Coalition, including Bruce Billson, Nick Minchin, Tony Smith and Malcolm Turnbull.

Not only did he outlast the shadow figures, Conroy was rewarded with an even bigger remit in 2010 as the "Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity".

The only question now is, who will take his place.