A bipartisan group of federal MPs has told the Egyptian ambassador to Australia that the jailing of al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste in Egypt has appalled and outraged Australians.

And the chairwoman of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Teresa Gambaro has demanded the ambassador explain what he is doing personally to lobby for Greste's freedom.

Australian journalist Peter Greste. Credit:AFP

Greste and his al-Jazeera colleagues Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were convicted in June for spreading false news and aiding the Muslim Brotherhood.

Dr Hassan El-Laithy appeared before the committee at Parliament House late on Tuesday afternoon in a private session.