Australian authorities have intercepted an asylum-seeker boat carrying more than 80 people.

HMAS Maitland, operating under the command of Border Protection Command, intercepted the vessel after it sought assistance northwest of Christmas Island last night.

It is believed there were 79 passengers and two crew members on board, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said in a statement today.

It comes after two boats carrying more than 130 asylum seekers were intercepted off Christmas Island late on Thursday.

Mr Bowen said the latest vessel was the sixth asylum-seeker boat to arrive since Opposition Leader Tony Abbott ended talks with the Government on offshore processing.

“We’ve always said that without a genuine deterrent such as the Malaysia arrangement, the boats will keep coming,” Mr Bowen said.

“This is another boat you can chalk down to the negativity of Tony Abbott.”

Mr Abbott said he was happy to work with Labor on the issue if the government was prepared to embrace the coalition’s policies of processing in Nauru, temporary protection visas and turning boats around.

“The only thing that stops Julia Gillard embracing those policies, those proven policies, is sheer stubbornness,” Mr Abbott told reporters in Brisbane.

“Julia Gillard’s pride is getting in the way of putting in place policies that will stop the boats. I say swallow your pride, prime minister.”

The passengers will be transferred to Christmas Island, where they will undergo initial security, health and identity checks and their reasons for travel will be established.