Why we filed a complaint to the Standards Commissioner about Minister Owen Bonnici

We asked the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life to investigate a potential breach of ethics by Minister for Culture, Lands, and Local Government, Owen Bonnici. Our formal complaint concerns the multiple consecutive contracts granted to Albert Marshall by the Valletta Cultural Agency, which falls within Minister Bonnici’s remit, and the conflict of interest posed by Marshall’s multiple engagements.

Marshall was appointed Chairman of Arts Council Malta in January 2022 on a contract that did not permit him to perform any other work or service for any third party. Arts Council Malta oversees Valletta Cultural Agency (VCA). From January 2024 to July 2025, VCA granted four consecutive contracts to Albert Marshall during his tenure as Arts Council Malta chairman.

In June 2025, Luke Dalli, son of former minister Helena Dalli, replaced Albert Marshall as chair of Arts Council Malta. On 13 June 2025 Marshall’s contract with the Council was amended, recasting his role as that of ‘Technical Expert’ and guaranteeing his salary and benefits in full until 2028, when he is due to reach 81 years of age. The role of “technical expert” is not part of Arts Council Malta’s established organisational structure.

The Code of Ethics for Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries requires Ministers to ensure that government departments and entities that fall within their ministries are managed well and prudently, that ministers should be motivated only by a sense of service towards the community in general and the common good, and show objectivity in the appointments to offices.

Over the three year term, the value of Mr Marshall’s employment as “technical expert” is expected to exceed €300,000. The addendum to Mr Marshall’s employment contract was signed by Mr Kevin Mahoney, permanent secretary at Owen Bonnici’s ministry.