Hundreds of academics from around Australia are calling on the federal government to "do more" to get Sydney economist Sean Turnell out of jail in Myanmar.
They are trying to gather as many signatures as possible on a petition to parliament, to pressure the government to explain what steps it has taken so far secure his release and to "scale-up" its response.
Professor Turnell was arrested in Yangon five days after Myanmar's military overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi just over a year ago.
The 57-year-old was in the country working as an advisor to Ms Suu Kyi's government and is currently on trial for violating the official state secrets act, a charge he denies.
Myanmar's state-run television reported that he had been arrested as he tried to flee the country with secret state financial information.
A petition on the Parliament of Australia website — submitted by Associate Professor Nick Cheesman from the Australian National University's (ANU) Myanmar Research Centre, and backed by other academics — asks the House "to call for Professor Turnell's situation to be made among Australia's top consular priorities".
The petition says the military junta had "rebuffed sincere efforts by Australian officials on Professor Turnell's behalf" and that "a year of patient negotiations has not secured his release".
"We seek the appointment of a prominent person as special envoy dedicated to working exclusively on getting Professor Turnell released, with the authority and resources necessary to succeed."
American journalist Danny Fenster — who was detained in Myanmar for several months and sentenced to 11 years in prison — was released late last year after a visit from US diplomat Bill Richardson helped secure his freedom.
Mr Richardson was the former US Ambassador to the United Nations who has helped arrange the release of other American prisoners in the past.
The petition also asks Foreign Minister Marise Payne to outline what steps have been taken so far to get Professor Turnell released, and propose a schedule to "scale-up action toward that end".
More than 300 people have so far signed the petition.
The ANU's Charlotte Galloway said she hoped it would get strong support from staff at Australian universities and the wider community.
"Sean has worked tirelessly to support the wishes of Myanmar's people in developing, not just their economy, but to rebuild connections with the rest of the world," Dr Galloway said.
"We know that he would feel the same responsibility, were any of us in his situation."
Minister says officials undertaking 'high-level advocacy'
The ABC has contacted DFAT and the Foreign Minister's office for comment about the petition.
Speaking on ABC Radio National on Wednesday, Ms Payne said Australian officials has been working hard to secure Professor Turnell's release.
"We do regard this as a case of arbitrary detention and have called for his immediate release and his return to Australia, and continue to do so," she said.
"We are undertaking high-level advocacy with Myanmar, with partners around the world … both in person and, of course, through calls and correspondence.
"That is a very, very strong focus of my role and of my department and we continue to give him all possible consular support."
On Friday at the meeting of the Quad Ms Payne again said the government considers Professor Turnell's case "arbitrary detention".
Release announcement a mistake
There was hope on Monday that Professor Turnell had been freed, after the Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, announced the news in a speech in Cambodia.
He later issued a statement saying he had made an "unintentional mistake" with that announcement.
During a widely criticised visit to Myanmar in January, Mr Hun Sen had asked Myanmar's junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, to release Professor Turnell at the request of the Australian government.
Cambodian media reported that the general "pledged to provide [a] positive reply to [Hun Sen] when the court process ends".
Professor Turnell's trial began late last year in a closed court in Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw.
Human rights groups have described the trial as a sham. Lawyers have been gagged and Australian officials have been blocked from observing in the courtroom.
Professor Turnell is one of more than 9,000 people arrested in Myanmar since the coup, according to human rights group the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma).
