The Commissioner for Standards in Public Life has decided a complaint against three persons who were members of staff in the secretariat of former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. The complaint was submitted by Professor Arnold Cassola, who requested the Commissioner to investigate Keith Schembri for allegedly setting up a criminal organisation leading to an assassination;…
The Commissioner for Standards in Public Life has issued his first annual report. He presented the report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who in turn laid it before the House yesterday. The report outlines the role of the Commissioner as set out by the Standards in Public Life Act and the procedures…
The Commissioner for Standards in Public Life has found that it is widespread practice for ministers to use public resources in the generation of content for their personal pages in Facebook and other social media. The Commissioner has concluded that this is an abuse since the ministers in question are using public resources to raise…
The Commissioner for Standards in Public Life is extending by one month the public consultation period on his proposals for the regulation of lobbying. On 28 February 2020, the Commissioner published a consultation paper setting out proposals on how lobbying should be regulated. The Commissioner invited members of the public to submit their views on…
The Commissioner for Standards in Public Life has said that when ministers support initiatives by private operators, they should be careful to avoid crossing the line between providing appropriate official assistance and giving an improper advantage. The Standards Commissioner came to this conclusion after considering a complaint by the NGO Repubblika against Minister Julia Farrugia…
Dr George Hyzler, Commissioner for Standards in Public Life, has published a consultation paper setting out proposals to regulate lobbying. This is in keeping with the Standards in Public Life Act, which obliges him to make recommendations concerning the regulation of lobbying. The term “lobbying” refers to efforts by private individuals and entities to influence…
The Commissioner for Standards in Public Life, Dr George Hyzler, has said that “It inevitably raises suspicions if a minister meets a person with extensive business interests, on his own, informally and with too much familiarity.” In such cases it would be more advisable to hold a formal meeting with officials present. The Commissioner for…
Dr George Hyzler, Commissioner for Standards in Public Life, has concluded that it would be discrimination and a breach of ethics if a minister invited some media houses but not others to press conferences or other media events organised by him or her. The Commissioner for Standards came to this conclusion after considering a complaint…
The Commissioner for Standards in Public Life, Dr George Hyzler, has reacted to a statement issued by Alternattiva Demokratika following a meeting held today at Alternattiva Demokratika’s request on the issue of lobbying. During this meeting the Commissioner informed the delegation from Alternattiva Demokratika that his office was in the process of finalising proposals to…
Dr George Hyzler, Commissioner for Standards in Public Life, has concluded that the use of public resources to maintain a minister’s personal Facebook page or to produce material for that page represents an abuse. This applies equally to the use of public funds for such purposes and to the assignment of such work to government…
