The Australian Senate has today urged Prime Minister Tony Abbott to make direct contact with the Egyptian Government to seek the immediate release of Australian citizen Peter Greste and 19 other journalists who are currently detained in Cairo.

"The Prime Minister needs to act on the responsibilities that come with his office. Australian citizens deserve the highest level of representation and, in this case, time is running out," said Greens Leader Christine Milne, who put forward the motion that passed this afternoon.