Abbott must call for Greste release: Labor

Prime Minister Tony Abbott must call for the release of Australian journalist Peter Greste from an Egyptian prison, the federal opposition says.

The Al-Jazeera English reporter and two of his colleagues have been behind bars since December.

They have been accused of broadcasting false information to damage Egypt and supporting the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood of deposed president Mohamed Morsi.

Greste and his employer deny the allegations.

The trial was adjourned overnight to March 31.

Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek now says Mr Abbott must call for Greste's release.

"Being a journalist is not a crime," she said in a statement on Tuesday.

"A free press is critically important. Journalists shouldn't be put on trial or locked up for doing their job."

She says Labor stands ready to assist the government to do everything it sensibly can to secure Greste's release.

"Prime Minister Abbott has made much of his support for free speech. If Mr Abbott really does support free speech, he must do more for Peter Greste," Ms Plibersek said.