The Malta Chamber in a statement on Monday, said that the resignation of Dr Justyne Caruana from Gozo Minister, only hours after certain revelations being made concerning her next of kin, “sends a strong, and much needed message of zero tolerance towards any shadow of a doubt of questionable conduct.”

“Our country’s leaders must be kept accountable to the highest level of standards, and the tempestive action in this regard was very well received” the Chamber added.

The Chamber went on to say that it cautiously welcomed “the breath of fresh air that was apparently characterising the first week in office of new Prime Minister Dr Robert Abela.”

The Chamber remarked that the decisions taken so far augured well for the future.

“The concrete actions of the past days reflect the Prime Minister’s statement that his Government and the Chamber were on the same page on this very important current priority for the country,” it said.

The Chamber also welcomed the subject of Good Governance being given its much deserved attention by the Prime Minister’s cabinet, which was in turn supplemented by the establishment of a committee focusing on this matter.

The Chamber also reacted to statements made by two senior members of Abela’s Government.

“Environment and Planning Minister Dr Aaron Farrugia’s intention to publish a register of all meetings with stakeholders, in a bid to promote transparency and good governance, is certainly the direction the country’s administration needs to look at,” the Chamber said.

It also welcomed the statement by Minister for Internal Affairs Byron Camilleri who stated that “every single allegation needed to be investigated” the Chamber noted.

The Chamber said that it welcomed these moves, and augured that such commendable initiatives “wouldn’t be left to the prerogative of individual Ministers, but ought to be made a Government-wide requirement for all the administration.”

“In light of the above, the Chamber expresses a degree of cautious optimism. There are several more recommendations that the Government needs to consider, but certainly, so far so good” the statement concluded.

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