Senator Cash asked the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, upon notice, on 2 November 2012: With reference to reports dated 18 October and 19 October 2012, that a boat from Sri Lanka with alleged pirates on board was on its way to Australia: (1) Was the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (Customs and Border Protection) instructed to deploy air and/or sea assets to locate this vessel before it entered Australian waters; if so, can details of the date, time and instructions be provided. (2) Did Customs and Border Protection communicate with Sri Lankan authorities about the location of this vessel; if so, can details of the communications be provided; if not, why not. (3) Did Sri Lankan authorities communicate to Customs and Border Protection that they wished for the return of passengers on board the vessel to Sri Lanka; if so, can details of the time, date and content of communications be provided. (4) Did Sri Lankan authorities express to Customs and Border Protection their desire that this vessel not be allowed to enter Australian waters; if so, can details of the time, date and content of communications be provided. (5) Did the Minister, Minister's office or any agency instruct Customs and Border Protection to intercept this boat before it entered Australian waters; if so, can details of the time, date and content of communications be provided; if not, why not.