Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) with deep concern, the charges the Egyptian Government has laid against Australian citizen and journalist, Mr Peter Greste, and fellow Al Jazeera journalists,

(ii) calls by the White House, the United Nations, and global news agencies for their release

(iii) the excellent support Australian consular officials are providing to Mr Greste and his family; and

(b) calls on the Prime Minister (Mr Abbott) and the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Ms Bishop) to make direct contact with the Egyptian Government to seek the immediate release of Mr Greste and the other 19 individuals detained.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian government is deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of Mr Peter Greste by Egyptian authorities. Mr Greste was detained, along with his colleagues, during the normal course of his work as a journalist. The imposition by Egyptian authorities of restrictive measures against political opponents, the use of force against protestors and the targeting of the media is deeply troubling.

Journalists have an legitimate role to play in any democracy. That is particularly so at the moment. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has raised Mr Greste's case directly with Egypt's foreign minister and the Egyptian ambassador to Australia, and will continue to do so.

Australia's ambassador to Egypt has also raised concerns about Mr Greste's case with the ministry of justice and with the prosecutor general. Since his arrest, consular officials have met with Mr Greste on many occasions. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has assured Mr Greste's family that the Australian government is committed to supporting him through his ordeal.

Question agreed to.