In a packed room at the National Press Club in Canberra, the Al Jazeera correspondent stressed the need to focus on press freedom in particular.
Even after spending 400 days inside an Egyptian prison, Peter Greste managed to laugh about his release.
"I know this is going to sound a little bit weird coming from a journalist, but I really do need to thank Australia's politicians."
In particular, he mentioned Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's efforts to help get him out of prison.
"I know there has been some criticism of the efforts the (Australian Foreign) Ministry made, but one of the keys to successful diplomacy is getting the balance of the public and private pressure right. I've heard for more than a few people that independent diplomats who remarked on how astutely you and DFAT handled our case and in particular, how well you used your secret weapon - and it's one that has got you into trouble over the past few days - and that's your rather laser-like eyes."
But the Australian journalist also had a serious message to share.
After being sentenced to seven years' jail along with two of his Al Jazeera colleagues for aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood, he said he was troubled by what he saw.
"My work was I have to admit rather routine. But the trouble is in Egypt, it is the most polarized society I've ever seen in a place that isn't in a civil war."
Mr Greste said press freedom was facing its greatest threat in a generation, due to efforts to counter terrorism and groups like the self-proclaimed Islamic State.
"Since the war on terror began, governments across the globe have used the T-word as an excuse for all sorts of attacks on human rights and press freedoms. It almost feels like a kind of globalised McCarthyism where simply invoking terrorism is enough to get away with murder."
Mr Greste also reminded the Press Club audience that his Al Jazeera colleagues - Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed - still face charges in Egypt of aiding a terrorist organisation.
"We must not let up this fight for justice until both of them and all of those convicted in absentia have been fully vindicated and free of the charges."
