Australia cracks down on asylum claims

Australia has suspended the processing of all immigration claims from Sri Lankan and Afghan asylum seekers.

"The decision has been made in the light of changing circumstances in both Afghanistan and Sri Lanka," Immigration Minister Chris Evans told reporters on Friday.

The announcement came shortly after the government revealed the interception of a boat, carrying 70 asylum seekers, near Christmas Island on Thursday night.

It was the 38th boat to arrive in Australian waters this year.

The new measures also follow the concerns of a United Nations official who said governments needed new solutions to deal with "out of control" people smuggling as thousands of asylum seekers try to reach Australia via Indonesia.

Manuel Jordao, a senior representative of The United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Indonesia, says a large number of almost 4000 asylum seekers on the UNHCR's books in the archipelago will try to reach Australia by boat, rather than wait for resettlement via official channels.

- AAP