Boat intercepted with 75 asylum seekers

Nine boats carrying more than 700 asylum seekers have arrived since the government announced its hardline new policy.

Authorities have abandoned the search and rescue for an asylum seeker boat which went missing.

Authorities have intercepted another boat near Christmas Island, carrying 75 asylum seekers.

It's the ninth boat to arrive since the government announced its tough new Papua New Guinea resettlement policy. That means more than 700 people are waiting on Christmas Island to be transferred to PNG.

HMAS Maryborough gave assistance to the latest boat on Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said in a statement on Friday.

They have been taken to Christmas Island for health checks.

Initial reports suggested there were also three crew on board.