Questions arise over Anthony Gatt’s government roles

The professional trajectory of Anthony David Gatt, known to many in Malta for his long-standing presence on Labour’s One TV, has increasingly drawn public interest. Recent documentation indicates that Gatt transitioned from a full-time position at Malta Enterprise to a new role linked to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), while also holding a part-time consultancy with the Justice Ministry. These developments, occurring within a relatively short timeframe, have prompted broader policy discussions regarding administrative procedures, contractual oversight, and the allocation of public resources within government structures.

While the information publicly available does not establish wrongdoing, the circumstances surrounding the overlapping roles and remuneration arrangements illustrate the need for transparency in the management of public appointments. What follows is a thorough, legally cautious examination of the situation, presented in a balanced manner and relying solely on the reported facts.

Background on Anthony David Gatt’s rise in public administration

Early years in broadcasting

Gatt initially entered the public spotlight as a journalist and broadcaster on Labour’s One TV, where he built a recognisable profile. During this period, he worked alongside current Justice Minister Jonathan Attard, with whom he later collaborated professionally in a consultancy capacity.

Transition to government service

Following Labour’s return to government in 2013, Gatt transitioned into public administration. He reportedly served as an assistant to Kurt Farrugia, then spokesperson to former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, before joining Malta Enterprise. His career progression within the agency was notably swift, culminating in his appointment as a chief officer, a senior position involving strategic administrative responsibilities.

Shift from Malta Enterprise to the OPM

New communications role at Castille

In November 2024, Gatt is understood to have concluded his tenure at Malta Enterprise, entering a three-year contract as part of Prime Minister Robert Abela’s communications team at Castille. His appointment was issued under a “person of trust” arrangement, a mechanism commonly used across government for roles that require a high level of discretion, policy alignment, and rapid appointment procedures.

Remuneration package

Gatt’s new contract reportedly carries a remuneration package exceeding €73,000 annually, a figure that places it above the prime minister’s official salary. The contract includes allowances traditionally associated with roles requiring advanced expertise, significant responsibility, or unique specialist knowledge. The package also mirrors allowances previously granted during his employment at Malta Enterprise.

Overlapping functions within the OPM

The responsibilities attached to the new position involve coordinating communications staff across government. These functions appear to overlap with those of Edward Montebello, the OPM’s official spokesperson. However, no public explanation has been provided regarding the operational need for an additional layer of communications oversight. Individuals familiar with internal processes have stated that Montebello did not personally request supplementary support, although no formal statement has clarified this matter.

Simultaneous consultancy with the Justice Ministry

Nature of the consultancy

At the time Gatt entered the OPM role, he was still engaged as a part-time policy consultant for the Justice Ministry. This consultancy reportedly involved approximately 10 hours of work per week and focused primarily on media strategy. The compensation for this consultancy has been reported at around €18,000 annually.

Duplicate allowances

The consultancy included several allowances such as car allowances, expense coverage, and an “expertise” allowance. These benefits were similar to those included in Gatt’s salary package at Malta Enterprise and later replicated under his OPM contract. While this duplication may appear unusual, duplicate allowances can occur when separate contracts are structured independently. Whether such arrangements fully align with internal administrative guidelines is not publicly confirmed.

Uncertainty regarding contract continuation

It is not known whether Gatt continued to hold the Justice Ministry consultancy after assuming full-time responsibilities at the OPM. No official statement has been issued to clarify whether the part-time consultancy was terminated, suspended, or maintained concurrently with the new role.

The OPM’s approach to contract disclosures

Non-publication of consultant lists

The Office of the Prime Minister has reportedly chosen not to publish a full list of consultants currently engaged under its remit. Other ministries have received similar instructions, limiting public access to detailed information concerning external advisors, contractual terms, and consultant numbers. While ministries are not legally obliged to publish such lists, the absence of detailed disclosures has contributed to broader concerns regarding transparency.

Freedom of Information requests

The available information has emerged through Freedom of Information (FOI) channels, which provide a mechanism for the public and media to request access to specific categories of government documentation. Although FOI disclosures are limited to the records held and do not offer commentary, they have provided insight into contractual arrangements that would otherwise remain undisclosed.

The role of “expertise” allowances

Eligibility and approval procedures

An “expertise” allowance, such as the €20,000 supplement included in Gatt’s OPM contract, is typically reserved for positions requiring highly specialised skills. These allowances usually require explicit approval from senior officials, including the head of the prime minister’s secretariat or the principal permanent secretary.

Contextual considerations

While the existence of such an allowance does not imply impropriety, it raises questions regarding the criteria used to determine eligibility and whether standardised evaluation procedures were applied. In administrative practice, allowances of this kind are generally intended to reflect unique qualifications or professional competencies essential to the role.

Political context surrounding government communications

Increasing complexity of communication structures

Communications within Malta’s public administration have expanded significantly over the past decade. Ministries, authorities, agencies and the OPM frequently engage specialised communications officers, consultants, and advisors to manage public messaging, stakeholder engagement, and media relations.

Person-of-trust appointments

A substantial proportion of communications roles are filled through “person of trust” contracts, which allow rapid recruitment for posts considered sensitive, strategic, or aligned with political priorities. While legally permissible, this approach has periodically raised concerns among governance experts who advocate for greater reliance on the public service’s permanent structures.

Broader landscape of consultancy arrangements

Reports and discussions within public policy circles suggest that overlapping contracts and part-time consultancies may occur across multiple ministries, particularly where political appointees are involved. It is widely acknowledged that such arrangements can lead to ambiguity regarding duties, responsibilities, and remuneration structures, underscoring the importance of clear policy safeguards.

Calls for transparency and administrative review

Need for procedural clarity

The situation involving Gatt’s contracts reflects a recurring theme in public administration: the importance of clarity in contractual terms, avoidance of duplicated benefits, and transparent reporting. Clearer guidelines on compatibility between full-time roles and concurrent consultancies may support improved governance.

Public service standards

Malta’s public service historically emphasises accountability, financial prudence and the efficient use of public funds. While deviations from optimal practice do not necessarily imply misconduct, they highlight gaps that can be bridged through policy reform.

Possible areas for improvement

Observers have highlighted potential areas for review, including:

• Strengthening internal auditing of allowances
• Publishing consolidated consultant lists across ministries
• Clarifying eligibility requirements for expertise allowances
• Ensuring consultants do not receive overlapping benefits for identical duties
• Updating compatibility rules for simultaneous contracts

These are general administrative recommendations and do not pertain specifically to Gatt, but to the broader system under which such contracts operate.

Conclusion

The career path of Anthony David Gatt, his transition from Malta Enterprise to the Office of the Prime Minister, and his simultaneous consultancy with the Justice Ministry have collectively drawn attention to the mechanisms through which public appointments and contractual arrangements are administered. While no allegations of wrongdoing have been made, the circumstances highlight the importance of transparent governance, consistent reporting standards, and robust oversight across all ministries.

As public institutions continue to evolve in response to increasing administrative demands, ensuring clarity and accountability in contractual practices remains essential. The issues raised by this case illustrate the broader importance of transparency in maintaining public trust, safeguarding public funds, and avoiding the appearance of conflicts or inconsistencies within government structures.

FAQs

What roles has Anthony David Gatt held in public administration?
He has worked at Malta Enterprise, served as an assistant to senior government officials, and later joined the Office of the Prime Minister’s communications team.

Did Anthony David Gatt hold more than one government contract at the same time?
According to documentation released through FOI procedures, he held a full-time role and a part-time consultancy simultaneously.

Was the dual arrangement reported to be unlawful?
There is no publicly available information indicating that the arrangement was unlawful.

Why has the remuneration attracted attention?
The combined remuneration and allowances highlighted the need for transparency in how government roles and supplements are allocated.

What was the purpose of the Justice Ministry consultancy?
It reportedly involved advising on media strategy for approximately 10 hours per week.

Is it confirmed whether the consultancy continued after the OPM appointment?
No official statement has clarified whether the consultancy was terminated or maintained.

What is an “expertise” allowance?
It is an allowance granted for specialised skills and typically requires approval from senior officials.

Why do communication roles involve person-of-trust appointments?
These roles often require rapid recruitment for politically sensitive or strategic tasks.

Has the government published a list of its consultants?
The OPM has not published such a list and has instructed other ministries to withhold similar information.

What broader policy issue does this situation highlight?
It highlights the importance of transparent contractual practices and clear public reporting across government.