The Standards Commissioner said Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett did not break any rules when he used his ministerial car on a trip abroad. But this does not mean that the use of ministerial cars abroad is good practice.

The commissioner, former Chief Justice Joseph Azzopardi, said he will not investigate the matter further and, as such, his office will not be publishing his report.

The report was however made public by independent candidate Arnold Cassola, who had been behind the complaint about Bonett’s use of his ministerial car for a private trip to Sicily.

In his testimony, Bonett said that there are no limits as to his use of the ministerial car. The office also verified with the Finance Ministry that no such limitations exist.

It is a known fact, the commissioner said, that vehicles assigned to members of the Cabinet are often used abroad. “This does not mean that it is good practice, and it would be good if users were more prudent in this regard. In case of doubt, one should choose the least controversial and more ethical avenue.”

If there had to be limitations, then these should be listed appropriately in established guidelines and not left at the discretion of the users, the commissioner said.

But this meant that Bonett had broken no specific rule in his Sicily visit, and therefore the commissioner will not look further into the matter.

“This will not stop the complainant (Cassola) from commenting that Bonett should be more cautious and prudent towards public perception,” the ruling states. According to Cassola, guidelines should be established on how ministers and parliamentary secretaries, and other government officials, should use their official vehicles.