Asylum-seekers on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island have reportedly greeted the Australian foreign minister, Julie Bishop, with chants of 'freedom' and placards.
The group, the Refugee Action Coalition, says daily protests began on Manus Island in late January and reports say they continue to grow.
In an effort to calm the protests, a handful of lawyers was brought from Australia arriving on the island last Thursday, but Mr Rintoul says the protests have continued and there is still no indication of when refugee assessments will begin.
Mr Rintoul says last week guards tried to disperse protesters, but later withdrew after angry defiance, to be replaced by police.
Advocates say the lack of processing and an future for asylum-seekers is fuelling the protests which have also attracted support from Manus Island locals opposed to any expansion of the detention centre.
