Sydney – Australia needs to do more to help Papua attain independence, but the decision to grant bridging visas to 42 asylum seekers has put the province's struggle back on the world agenda, a Papuan activist says.

About 25 Papuan supporters gathered outside the Indonesian Consulate in Sydney today to raise the West Papuan Morning Star flag and call for the province's independence from Indonesia.

The activists claim the province is wracked by violence and human rights abuses. But they praised Australia for granting protection visas to 42 Papuan asylum seekers.

The move ignited Indonesian anger, amid accusations Australia was supporting Papuan independence activists. In a bid to heal the diplomatic rift, Australia agreed to review its immigration procedures to ensure all future boat arrivals would be processed offshore.

Papuan David Haluk, who has been living in Australia for the past seven years, attended today's flag-raising ceremony and praised Australia's acceptance of the 42 asylum seekers.

"We thank the Australian government, because now the world knows that there's something going on in West Papua," Mr Haluk said.

"But we want the Australian government to wake up more and remember the West Papuan struggle." He said Papuan people were not free to express themselves and faced jail for challenging Indonesian rule, including by raising the Morning Star flag.

He called for international action to bring about independence. "What we need now is international action in West Papua. We want a United Nations peacekeeping force in West Papua."