A boat carrying 51 suspected asylum seekers has been intercepted off Christmas Island.
It was stopped on Wednesday morning (AEST) north-west of Flying Fish Cove, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said.
There are believed to be 51 passengers aboard, plus two crew members who have all been taken to Christmas Island for the usual identity, security and health checks.
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The nationality of the asylum seekers has yet to be confirmed.
If they were Sri Lankan or Afghan their claims would not be processed under the government's temporary suspension, Mr O'Connor said.
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