Greens leader Christine Milne says the prime minister should do more to free jailed journalist Peter Greste from imprisonment in Egypt.
Senator Milne says while Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has done plenty to advance Mr Greste's case abroad, Tony Abbott has been missing in action.
"I'd like to see the prime minister step up more," Senator Milne said in Brisbane.
"He has at one point spoken out but that's all.
"I would like to see the campaign ratcheted up and the prime minister taking a stronger role in this."
This coming Monday will mark 400 days since the al-Jazeera reporter's arrest and imprisonment, along with two colleagues.
The trio were convicted of fabricating news footage on behalf of the Muslim Brotherhood of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, despite no evidence being produced.
Greste and Canadian-Egyptian journalist Mohammed Fahmy were sentenced to seven years imprisonment, and Egyptian Baher Mohammed received 10 years.
Greste's family, who recently returned to Brisbane from Cairo, say they are happy with the government's support but would like a meeting with Mr Abbott.
"It's a difficult case, there's no doubt about that, but we understand the foreign minister particularly has taken a personal interest in Peter's case and they're doing all they can," Peter's brother Andrew said.
"We're actually seeking a meeting with the prime minister once parliament sits just to continue the communication link between us and the government."
Father Juris said his son remained stoic but was finding prison life more difficult.
"When you hear from some of his visitors that his most ardent wish is to see a sunset, then you realise that he's having some hard days," he said.
Mr Abbott's office has been contacted for comment.
Andrew, other brother Mike and parents Juris and Lois are focusing their hopes on a formal application to have Greste deported to Australia, which could be granted at any time.
Egypt issued a decree in November granting its president the power to deport foreign defendants convicted or accused of crimes.
A presidential pardon for Greste has not been ruled out, and the imprisoned trio have been granted a retrial by Egypt's appeals court.
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