‘Removing Minister’s Asset Declarations Gives Crime Cover, Says Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation has condemned the government’s proposed abolition of ministerial asset declarations, warning that it would allow ministers to profit from conflicts of interest and criminal activity.

“The current code of ethics obliges ministers to immediately provide a statement of their assets and interests to the Cabinet Secretary,” the Foundation said.

“The Minister of Justice has tabled legal amendments that would cancel this obligation, further enabling the cover up of illicit activity and financial gain.”

The Foundation recalled that when Konrad Mizzi’s Panama company and New Zealand trust were first exposed in 2016, former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat defended his minister, claiming he had already seen Mizzi’s draft asset declaration.

“Under the government’s proposed amendments, a corrupt minister could set up an offshore company and trust without even needing to file an asset declaration,” the Foundation warned.

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation emphasised that the current system is already severely lacking in transparency.

“Ministerial declarations are not open to public scrutiny on demand, and ministers are not required to include assets belonging to their spouses,” the statement noted.

The Foundation pointed to the exposure of Roderick Galdes’ extensive property portfolio, accumulated while in office, as proof that more transparency is needed, not less.

The Foundation also cited concerns raised by the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life when Prime Minister Abela refused to publish the asset declarations of his cabinet members.

“MPs’ annual financial declarations are no substitute for ministerial declarations, as they are less detailed and not published,” the Foundation added.

“The shocking reality is that ten years after the Panama Papers, Malta has yet to learn lessons from its failure to protect the public interest,” the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation concluded.

“Rather than increasing transparency, the government’s proposed amendments will enable ministers to cover up malfeasance.”

#MaltaDaily