About the Minister

Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy was appointed Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy in December 2007. He is also Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate.

Stephen has a broad range of portfolio responsibilities, not least the National Broadband Network—the largest nation-building infrastructure project in Australian history, and the enabling foundation for our digital economy. Other responsibilities include Australia’s digital television switchover, our national broadcasters the ABC and SBS, media policy, community broadcasting, cyber security and cyber-safety, radio frequency spectrum and Australia Post, among other things.

Passionate about media and communications and about engaging with industry to foster innovation and growth, Stephen has had active involvement in the communications portfolio since November 2001—first as Senate representative for shadow communications spokesman Lindsay Tanner and then as shadow communications minister until the November 2007 federal election.

Stephen was appointed as a Senator for Victoria for the Australian Labor Party in 1996. Previously he was an industrial officer and superannuation officer for the Transport Workers Union Victorian Branch from 1992 to 1996, a ministerial adviser to Victoria’s Minister for Industry from 1990 to 1992 and an assistant adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1988 to 1990.

From 1986 to 1987, Stephen was an electorate officer for the Federal Member for Canberra, consultant to the Minister for Science and Minister assisting the Minister for Industry, Technology and Commerce and electorate officer for the Minister for Home Affairs. He worked for the Metal Trades Industry Association from 1984 to 1986.