The arrival of 14 people off Australia's Christmas Island has renewed debate about the value of the Australian government's detention centre on the island.

The navy intercepted a boat carrying 14 people near Ashmore Islands, off Australia's north west coast yesterday morning, and they are now being taken to Christmas Island.

It's not known if they are seeking asylum.

The Federal Government has maintained a newly-built detention centre on the island to process asylum seekers, but it also has a policy of only holding people in detention as a last resort.

The island's shire president Gordon Thomson says the centre is a white elephant.

"This group of 14, I would be certain won't be housed in the new detention centre, they'll be housed at the temporary detention centre initially," he said.

"I doubt that they will end up in the new big prison, it's rather imposing."

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