Greens call for swift appeal for Peter Greste

With the announcement today that Australian journalist Peter Greste will appeal the Egyptian court's conviction and seven-year sentence, Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says it is incumbent on the Australian Government to press for a speedy resolution of the appeals process.

"It is clear that the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will not intervene as long as legal processes are underway. It would be a travesty of justice if the appeals process drags on for many months," Senator Milne said.

"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 conducted in a timely manner.

"With the Egyptian President having said he wished the journalists had been deported after their arrest, instead of being put on trial, efforts must be stepped up to resolve legal processes as a matter of urgency.

"Peter Greste and his Al Jazeera colleagues have been imprisoned since the end of last year for simply doing their jobs. Peter is an Australian citizen and outstanding journalist and as a country we must do everything to stand up for our citizens and freedom of the press," Senator Milne said.