Economy Minister Chris Cardona insisted that he was not in a position to reveal whether the Lotteries and Gaming Authority’s executive chairman, Joseph Cuschieri, received a car allowance, stating that the government agreed to keep the details of the contract confidential.

Mr Cuschieri was appointed to the post late last year, replacing CEO Reuben Portanier and chairman Mario Galea, and is known to earn a salary of some €81,000 a year.

In a parliamentary question made by Nationalist MP Censu Galea on behalf of his colleague Jason Azzopardi, Dr Cardona was asked to confirm whether Mr Cuschieri was also benefiting from a car which was costing the government some €900 a month, and whether this was in line with the parameters which the government typically adhered to over such posts.

But the minister refused to answer the question, stating that the information being sought was confidential. Instead, he emphasised that since the present government had appointed an executive chairman – instead of a CEO and a chairman as the previous government had done – it was reducing its expense on salaries and benefits.

Dr Cardona’s answer prompted an incredulous Mr Galea to question whether the government deemed the pay packages of appointees to public entities to be sensitive information.

The minister replied that as a former minister, Mr Galea should be aware that those being recruited for top posts typically seek confidentiality clauses on their contracts, and confirmed that one was granted in this case.

The PN MP asked another question on this theme, but Dr Cardona insisted that he had nothing to add.