The Communications Minister was in good spirits, according to attendees, as he delivered a customary speech at the annual Communications Alliance and CommsDay Awards, the "night of nights" for the industry.

But his best jokes were reserved for his own frontbench colleagues, who copped a healthy serve of Mr Turnbull's famed wit.

"I just want to say right from the outset that there has been some very unfair criticism of the Speaker Bronwyn Bishop today. The fact is that travelling through the city isn't as cheap as it used to be," he said, as a mock $5227 Opal card trip flashed on the screen.

The gag was a reference to Ms Bishop's controversial taxpayer-funded helicopter hop from Melbourne to Geelong to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser.

"So there it is - Edgecliff to Martin Place. It's not cheap," Mr Turnbull quipped.

@TurnbullMalcolm explaining how opal cards can now be used for helicopter rides pic.twitter.com/xA68fAEebc— Simon Hackett (@simonhackett) July 16, 2015

He then moved on to a matter he described as "the next pressing global issue" - working with internet service providers and telco carriers to determine who was financially responsible for illegal file-sharing and breaches of copyright online.

"We have assembled a crack negotiating team," Mr Turnbull said. "We have put the best team on the ground and leading it is our leading technologist." Then, the below slide flashed on the screen:

@TurnbullMalcolm explaining how much he loves metadata at the ACOMMS awards dinner tonight. Giggle. pic.twitter.com/mJPqyojlMm— Simon Hackett (@simonhackett) July 16, 2015

Senator Brandis, the Attorney-General, last year gave a disastrous interview on Sky News in which he attempted to explain the government's changes to data retention.

And Mr Turnbull poked fun at Prime Minister Tony Abbott's ban on ministers appearing on the ABC's Q&A program, suggesting one way to solve the standoff would be - hold your applause - a panel of Malcolm Turnbulls.

.@TurnbullMalcolm hilarious at ACOMMs dinner. Says Coalition has reached a new deal for getting govt back to QandA. pic.twitter.com/87eGyMUM7M— David Ramli (@Davidramli) July 16, 2015

"I am in a position to announce tonight that we are on the verge, on the very cusp indeed, of brokering a new truce with the ABC," he said.

"I've written to the ABC chairman Jim Spigelman just this afternoon outlining a new offer on Q&A and I'm very confident that this new format will provide a way forward for the show."

Following the introductory jibes, Mr Turnbull moved on to matters of his portfolio, but retained his light touch. He spoke of the successes of the National Broadband Network, which now has more than 500,000 paying customers. But there were also jokes about the financially challenged network.

"If any of you are connected to the NBN please order the top plan - we need the money," he told the crowd.

It was still unknown if the Parliament would legislate for marriage equality, Mr Turnbull said, but another matrimonial matter would be resolved soon - TPG's proposed takeover of rival iiNet.

"And all I can say is we are absolutely in favour of the ACCC having a conscience vote on the issue," he said.

One journalist who attended the dinner described the mood as "jovial" and said Mr Turnbull had also delivered a comedic speech at the event last year.

"It's all pretty jovial and [about] being nice to the telco industry as the minister responsible," he said. "[But] I'm not sure Brandis will be very happy about it."

Former Telstra chief executive David Thodey appeared by hologram and was named communications ambassador of 2015.

Another former Telstra chief and now NBN chairman Ziggy Switkowski attended the dinner, as did shadow communications minister Jason Clare.

Malcolm Turnbull is killing it at ACOMMS Awards. Takes a swipe at Bronwyn Bishop and George Brandis.— Ben Grubb (@bengrubb) July 16, 2015