Asylum seekers targeting loophole: Crossin Asylum seekers are trying to exploit a legislative loophole, Senator Trish Crossin says. LABOR Senator Trish Crossin says asylum seekers are trying to land on mainland Australia to exploit a legislative loophole that means they may avoid offshore processing. A boat of 147 asylum seekers was picked up by authorities southwest of Darwin on Wednesday. Asked about the arrival, Senator Crossin said it was not the first time people had made it close to Darwin or the Top End. "There is an explanation as to why they are doing this," Ms Crossin told ABC radio. There is currently a loophole in the legislation. If you were taken to Christmas Island or you arrived at Christmas Island you run the risk of being transported and run the risk of being taken to Nauru or Manus Island. If you come to the mainland however that is not the case. She said legislation to correct the loophole was currently in federal parliament. Meanwhile the government is denying claims by federal MP Natasha Griggs that another asylum vessel was intercepted last week 80km to 100km from the Australian coast near Darwin. Ms Griggs told AAP she was concerned there was no notification of the boat's interception, especially as it came relatively close to Australia's mainland and carried 70 people. She said she was tipped off to the boat's arrival by distressed locals and had the information confirmed by authorities. "The concern is that it looks like the people smugglers are changing their tactics by coming here towards Darwin," she said. But a spokesman for Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said no such vessel had been found. "This boat doesn't exist," the spokesman said. She is claiming all these things without providing evidence for them.