Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kim Beazley have misjudged public support for Papuan independence, The Greens said.

Greens Leader Bob Brown said a Newspoll released today, showing 77 per cent of Australians support independence for the Indonesian province, proved the major parties were wrong.

"The Prime Minister is horribly out of touch with Australian values," Senator Brown said. "While this nation backs freedom and a fair go for our West Papuan neighbours, Mr Howard backs Indonesian military occupation."

The nationwide poll of 1200 people conducted a fortnight ago was funded by businessman Ian Melrose.

Only 6 per cent of respondents were directly opposed to independence for Indonesia's eastern-most province, while 77 per cent were in favour, with 17 per cent undecided.

Mr Melrose has campaigned for a better deal for East Timor over oil and gas rights in the Timor Sea. East Timor, a former Indonesian province, won independence after the intervention of the UN.

"I am delighted that Australians so overwhelmingly support the West Papuans," Mr Melrose said today. "It is a shame that John Howard and Kim Beazley do not match the Australian people's inherent decency when it comes to basic human rights and justice."

He said Indonesia's actions in Papua, if left unchecked, would deliver the same atrocities seen in East Timor.

Senator Brown said The Greens would move a motion supporting self determination for Papua when the Senate resumed in a fortnight.