Chris Cardona’s new role sparks transparency debate

Former Labour Party deputy leader Chris Cardona, who was removed from the party in 2020 following internal pressure from Prime Minister Robert Abela, has resurfaced in government circles. His recent appointment as a government consultant on youth policy has attracted public scrutiny, largely due to his lack of professional background or prior involvement in youth affairs.

According to parliamentary information tabled following a question by PN MP Graziella Attard Previ, Cardona has been engaged as a policy consultant within the Secretariat of Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation, led by Keith Azzopardi Tanti. The engagement, while described as part-time, comes with notable financial benefits that have reignited debate about political appointments and transparency in public service recruitment.

The structure of Cardona’s appointment

The former minister has been given a 10-hour-a-week consultancy contract, paid pro rata at the Scale 3 level of the Maltese public service. What has attracted particular attention, however, is the “expertise allowance” attached to his role — an annual payment of €20,000, which represents the maximum permitted under government rules.

Despite the limited hours, this allowance forms the bulk of Cardona’s compensation, bringing his total monthly earnings to approximately €3,000 for a part-time position.

Government documentation states that such allowances are reserved for “exceptional circumstances”, particularly for individuals with specialized knowledge or extensive experience directly relevant to the area of consultancy. In this case, Cardona’s background as a criminal lawyer and former Economy Minister does not appear to align with youth policy development or research initiatives.

Concerns about compliance with official guidelines

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) has clear guidelines on the recruitment and remuneration of policy consultants. These guidelines stipulate that expertise allowances should only be granted to consultants who bring distinct, high-level expertise to a department’s operations.

Cardona’s appointment, therefore, has drawn criticism for appearing to contradict the spirit of these regulations. Sources cited by The Shift claim that the engagement was “imposed from above”, allegedly as part of broader political efforts by Prime Minister Abela to mend internal party divisions ahead of the next general elections.

While such claims remain unverified, the appointment reflects a pattern of politically sensitive postings, where individuals formerly close to the Labour Party leadership have reappeared in advisory or consultancy capacities within government structures.

Echoes of previous controversies

This case is reminiscent of an earlier controversy involving Amanda Muscat, then the partner of former Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo. Muscat was awarded a €20,000 expertise allowance despite reportedly lacking the qualifications that would justify such a payment.

Following public outcry, the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life ruled that the arrangement was “abusive”, prompting the Prime Minister to order repayment of the allowance — albeit with a 30% reduction. At the time, Abela pledged to introduce reforms aimed at preventing abuse of discretionary allowances and ensuring greater accountability in the appointment of consultants.

The recurrence of similar issues has raised doubts about whether those promised reforms have been effectively implemented.

Lack of transparency over government consultants

The Maltese government has faced sustained criticism over its refusal to publish a comprehensive list of consultants and advisers employed across ministries and secretariats. Despite multiple Freedom of Information (FOI) requests by The Shift and other media outlets, the Office of the Prime Minister has declined to disclose key information such as the names, roles, remuneration, and terms of engagement of these consultants.

The government has justified this refusal on the grounds of data protection, a rationale that critics argue is being misapplied to avoid public scrutiny.

Currently, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner is conducting an investigation into the matter, assessing whether the government’s interpretation of privacy laws is consistent with Malta’s transparency and accountability obligations.

The blurred line between politics and public service

The Cardona appointment highlights a broader structural concern within Maltese governance: the overlap between political loyalty and public sector employment. Successive administrations have faced accusations of using consultancy roles as a means of rewarding political allies or maintaining influence among former party officials.

Under earlier regulations, officials serving within ministerial secretariats were barred from holding multiple part-time contracts. However, amendments introduced under the current Labour government loosened these restrictions, enabling individuals to accumulate multiple appointments — sometimes across different ministries.

This practice has drawn criticism from civil society groups and governance watchdogs, who argue that it undermines meritocracy and public trust in government institutions.

Questions over merit and expertise

Cardona’s lack of formal background in youth policy, research, or innovation has led to questions about the criteria used to select consultants for sensitive government roles. Critics have suggested that such appointments erode confidence in the public service, particularly when merit-based recruitment appears secondary to political considerations.

Observers note that youth policy — encompassing issues such as education, employment, mental health, and civic engagement — requires a deep understanding of social development frameworks, which are typically informed by research, community engagement, and international cooperation.

In this context, the appointment of a former economy minister and criminal lawyer, with no known record in these areas, has raised serious doubts about the relevance of his expertise.

Government response and public accountability

As of this writing, the government has not issued a detailed public statement explaining the rationale behind Cardona’s selection or clarifying whether the expertise allowance complies with OPM guidelines.

Efforts to contact the Secretariat for Youth, Research and Innovation for further details on Cardona’s responsibilities and deliverables have not yielded a response. Meanwhile, opposition figures and transparency advocates have reiterated calls for the publication of consultant registers, arguing that public funds must be subject to strict accountability.

Broader implications for governance

The controversy surrounding Chris Cardona’s consultancy appointment serves as a case study in the complex relationship between political patronage and administrative integrity. While such engagements are not uncommon in Maltese politics, their persistence has amplified calls for systemic reform, including:

• The creation of a centralized registry of consultants and advisers;
• Mandatory publication of remuneration details;
• Clearer criteria defining what constitutes “expertise” for allowance purposes; and
• Strengthened parliamentary oversight of appointments within government secretariats.

Ultimately, transparency in public appointments remains essential to protect the credibility of the civil service and maintain public confidence in state institutions.

A pattern of selective appointments

Observers point out that Cardona’s appointment is not an isolated case but part of a recurring trend in which politically exposed individuals resurface in advisory or consultant capacities after periods of controversy or political departure.

These roles, often created under the broad label of “policy consultancy,” grant access to public funding while providing political reintegration opportunities for former party figures.

Such appointments often occur with minimal public explanation, further intensifying public perception that political connections outweigh professional merit.

Calls for reform and public scrutiny

Governance analysts and civil society groups have urged the government to re-examine its consultant appointment framework, insisting on independent oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse of public resources.

The National Audit Office (NAO) and the Standards Commissioner have both previously warned that unchecked consultant appointments may contribute to conflicts of interest and dilute public sector professionalism.

In recent years, these warnings have gained renewed relevance, as controversies surrounding consultant allowances and political favoritism continue to emerge despite prior commitments to reform.

Conclusion

The re-emergence of Chris Cardona in a publicly funded consultancy role has reignited debate over transparency, meritocracy, and political patronage in Malta’s public administration. While his contract is technically compliant with standard employment structures, questions about its justification, relevance, and adherence to policy guidelines remain unresolved.

As investigations into government transparency continue, this case underscores the need for clearer accountability mechanisms, objective hiring practices, and public disclosure of consultant engagements. Only through such measures can the integrity of Malta’s governance framework be restored and safeguarded against the perception of political favoritism.

Frequently Asked Questions

What position has Chris Cardona been appointed to?
He has been appointed as a government consultant on youth policy within the Secretariat of Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation.

Who approved Chris Cardona’s appointment?
His engagement was made through the secretariat led by Keith Azzopardi Tanti, although reports suggest it may have been directed from higher political levels.

What is the duration and pay structure of his role?
Cardona’s contract requires 10 hours of work per week and includes a pro rata salary along with a full €20,000 expertise allowance.

Why is the appointment controversial?
The controversy arises from his lack of relevant experience in youth affairs and the high allowance awarded despite his part-time status.

Has this type of controversy occurred before?
Yes. A similar case involved Amanda Muscat, who was granted a comparable expertise allowance without proper qualifications, later deemed abusive.

What does the expertise allowance mean?
It is an additional payment granted in exceptional cases for consultants with specialized knowledge. Critics argue it was misapplied in this instance.

Has the government published the list of consultants?
No. The government has refused to release the list, citing data protection, leading to an ongoing investigation by the Data Protection Commissioner.

What are the potential legal implications?
While the appointment appears legal, questions remain over compliance with OPM guidelines and the ethical use of public funds.

What reforms have been proposed?
Experts have suggested creating a central registry of consultants, publishing remuneration details, and tightening the criteria for allowances.

What does this case indicate about governance in Malta?
It highlights persistent concerns about transparency, merit-based hiring, and political patronage within public institutions.