Government knew of asylum seeker boat arrival ‘a matter of days’ before news broke

Sky News host Sharri Markson reveals the Albanese government didn’t tell the public about the asylum seeker boat arrival for a matter of days before the news broke on Friday. The Prime Minister said he was unaware of the arrival on the West Australian coast on Friday afternoon, but a day earlier on Thursday, there was widespread knowledge of the illegal arrivals among Defence personnel. Ms Markson said she was contacted by an anonymous source on Thursday evening who told her: "I am led to believe that illegal boats are arriving and the army is involved in managing it and keeping it quiet." It is understood the illegal boats arrived on at least Thursday, potentially even Wednesday. Home Affairs refused to comment when asked about this on Friday, saying: "As this operation is ongoing, no further information is available." “This operation is not ongoing, it's done – the asylum seekers are now in Nauru detention centre so this seems to be a classic cover-up response,” Ms Markson said. “Confirming which day the asylum seekers arrived, if they even know this information, does not jeopardise national security, it only embarrasses the government and the authorities for their incompetence. “Clearly, something is not working in the national security apparatus when an illegal boat can bypass surveillance, maritime and border security and authorities for up to two days before anyone is any wiser. “The Prime Minister should know immediately if there's a boat arrival. You have to ask how can a journalist find out about this before the PM?”