It has been a little over a year since Peter Greste and his Al Jazeera colleagues were arrested and imprisonedin Egypt for simply doing their job.

Freedom of the press is a pillar of democracy, and the persecution of journalists wherever this occurs is unacceptable. Journalism is not a crime.

Peter's appeal against his seven year sentence begins today. Labor urges the Australian Government to continue making the strongest possible representations through all available political and diplomatic channels to secure Peter's release and the release of his colleagues.

The hopes and thoughts our nation are with Peter, and the Greste family who have campaigned tirelessly for his release over the past year.

We recognise and applaud the efforts of the Australian embassy staff in Cairo who have provided excellent support to Peter and his family.