Greens call to expedite Peter Greste appeal

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne is pleased an appeal has been lodged to seek the overturning of the conviction that has locked Australian journalist Peter Greste behind bars in Egypt, calling on the Abbott government to renew its efforts to secure his release as soon as possible.

"The Egyptian legal system was shown to be wanting throughout the trial and now the eyes of the world are watching again in the hope that, this time, justice is finally delivered to Peter Greste and his colleagues," said Senator Milne.

"The Greens are calling on the Abbott government to stand up for civil rights, freedom of the press and this Australian citizen who must be reunited with his family.

"Prime Minister Abbott must seek an assurance from the Egyptian government that the appeal will be conducted in a timely manner and not allowed to drift and drag on indefinitely.

"It's already been 59 days since Peter Greste was sentenced and nearly eight months since his arrest. It's beyond time for the farce to end," said Senator Milne.

"It's hard to have confidence in the integrity of the Egyptian legal system when all we've seen so far is injustice after injustice. Mr Greste was arrested for simply doing his job, subjected to a shocking show-trial, convicted on the basis of irrelevant ‘evidence' and sentenced to seven years in prison.

"Again I am calling on Prime Minister Abbott and Foreign Minister Bishop to make it clear to the Egyptian Government that Australia expects the appeals process to be completed as a matter of urgency."