Senator Ludwig: The Minister for Home Affairs has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question: (1) No. Customs and Border Protection did not receive any instruction to intercept any boat before it entered Australian waters. (2) Customs and Border Protection did not communicate with Sri Lankan authorities about the location of this vessel prior to its interception. Following its interception in the vicinity of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Customs and Border Protection advised the Sri Lankan Coast Guard of the interception of the vessel, in accordance with standard procedure for the arrival of suspected irregular entry vessels from Sri Lanka. (3) No. Sri Lankan authorities did not communicate to Customs and Border Protection that they wished for the passengers on board the vessel to be returned to Sri Lanka. (4) No. Customs and Border Protection did not receive this advice from Sri Lankan authorities. (5) No. Customs and Border Protection did not receive any instruction to intercept the vessel before it entered Australian waters.