Cheng Lei returned to Melbourne and the arms of her husband and two children on Wednesday after being arrested in August 2020.
The former anchor for the state-run China Global Television Network was imprisoned in Beijing for next three years, denied daily sunlight and communication.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said her arrival sparked a heartfelt family reunion.
"This is just a moment of sunshine for all Australians," she told ABC TV on Thursday, adding the nation was thrilled to have her back.
"Tight hugs, teary screams, holding my kids in the spring sunshine. Trees shimmy from the breeze. I can see the entirety of the sky now! Thank you Aussies." — FreeChengLei (@FreeChengLei) pic.twitter.com/WJ5vAYsMgZOctober 11, 2023
Ms O'Neil said the government was still focused on returning other Australians who remain incarcerated in China.
"This is a little bit of insight into the enormous expertise and knowledge and work of diplomats," she said.
China for the first time released details of Ms Cheng's charges after Australia's ambassador was not allowed to view the closed-door trial of Ms Cheng and the court's decision was constantly deferred.
The journalist, 48, was sentenced to two years and 11 months imprisonment for "illegally providing state secrets to an overseas party", Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Wednesday.
She was then deported after serving her sentence "in accordance with the law," he said.
China's state security ministry said the journalist voluntarily pleaded guilty "and accepted the punishment".
It claimed she was solicited by someone from a foreign organisation in May 2020 and "in violation of the confidentiality clause signed with her employer, illegally provided state secrets obtained in the course of her work to the foreign organisation through her mobile phone."
Ms Cheng's detention was consistently raised at multiple diplomatic meetings between Australian and Chinese officials and ministers.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said her return wasn't part of a deal struck with the Chinese government and that her release followed the completion of China's judicial process.
Mr Albanese said he had two "good, constructive" meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang prior to her release.
Mr Albanese learned she was being released "some time ago" and that her sentence was completed after time served was taken into account.
China stood ready "to work with Australia to continue to improve and grow the bilateral relationship and bring more benefits to the two peoples", Mr Wang said.
Cheng Lei was detained in China for three years, separated from her partner and children.
The Australian government continues to advocate for the release of Dy Yang Hengjun, whose health is in jeopardy after being diagnosed with a troubling kidney cyst.
He has been detained since January 2019 and continues to await a verdict in his case with his judgment deferred.
Opposition spokesman for foreign affairs Simon Birmingham said the coalition remained "deeply concerned" for Dr Yang and urged to government to use all available diplomatic channels to ensure his return and wellbeing.
Mr Albanese is expected to travel to China before the end of the year.
with Reuters
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