Sustainable Mobility Minister Chris Bonett has rejected suggestions of a disagreement with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana over the government's proposed light-rail system, describing reports of a rift between the two ministers as an attempt to manufacture political tension.

Bonett was responding to questions from Times of Malta following comments by Caruana on Tuesday that he had not yet seen the studies underpinning the light-rail project announced by the government ahead of the 2026 general election.

In a statement published on Facebook, Bonett said he did not see "what is the 'news'" in Caruana's comments, insisting that the two ministers were "on the same page".

"The studies are underway and on schedule according to the Malta in Motion plan I announced last April," Bonett said.

He explained that once the studies are completed, including their financial models, he will present them to Cabinet, where Caruana will also have the opportunity to examine the proposals in his capacity as Finance Minister.

Bonett said the government's approach had not changed, arguing that Malta needs to move towards a more comprehensive mass transport system and that the proposed light-rail system forms part of the wider Malta in Motion plan.

He also pointed to the Labour Party's 2026 election manifesto, saying the plan, including the light-rail proposal, had been approved by the entire party and that voters had given it a strong mandate.

The minister accused sections of the media and the Nationalist Party of attempting to create an "inexistent news item" around the project, saying a similar situation had arisen during last year's pre-budget discussions.

According to Bonett, Caruana's position had remained consistent: a final decision on the project would depend on the financial figures and studies being presented.

"This is the second consecutive pre-budget in which Minister Caruana is asked about the light-rail," Bonett said, adding that, as he had done the previous year, Caruana had reiterated that a final decision would be taken once he had seen the numbers.

Bonett also criticised Times of Malta over its handling of his response. He said the newspaper had sent him questions but published its report before giving him an opportunity to submit his answers.

He subsequently published his full response on Facebook, saying he wanted the public to know his position and arguing that comments from both ministers were being taken out of context to suggest a disagreement between them.

"This is an outside effort to create a rift between me and Minister Caruana using words taken out of context," Bonett said. "Something I think both myself and Clyde Caruana got used to by now."