PA reshuffle as Clint Camilleri’s appointees removed

The new planning minister, Jonathan Attard, has moved to reshape the leadership of the Planning Authority, removing a series of appointees installed by his predecessor, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, in what appears to be the first major overhaul of the Authority since last month’s general elections.

According to appointments published in the Government Gazette, Attard has replaced several members of both the Planning Authority’s Executive Council and the Planning Board, effectively dismantling the team assembled by Camilleri in 2024 when he was still responsible for the planning portfolio.

The changes follow Prime Minister Robert Abela’s decision to strip Camilleri of responsibility for the Planning Authority after the election and transfer the politically sensitive portfolio to Attard, currently one of the Prime Minister’s closest political allies.

Among the most notable departures is Godwin Agius, one of Camilleri’s closest associates, who has been removed from the Executive Council. Agius had featured in several controversies and scandalous contracts linked to the Gozo Minister.

He has been replaced by Josianne Cutajar – a medical doctor and the chief executive of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), which also falls under Attard’s ministerial responsibility.

Despite occupying the chief executive’s role at OHSA, she continues to practise privately as a medical doctor. Her appointment further strengthens Attard’s influence over the Authority’s executive arm, which is responsible for its strategic direction and administration.

A more extensive reshuffle has taken place within the Planning Board, the body that ultimately decides the major development applications.

Four members appointed by Camilleri only in 2024 have been removed.

They are Joseph Zammit, Marnol Sultana, lawyer Marica Borg and Charles Hili, all Gozitans who had been selected by the former minister following his controversial overhaul of the Authority’s governance in 2024.

They have now been replaced by Joseph Noel Agius, architect Hermann Bonnici, architect Karl Cutajar and Joanie Galea.

One notable exception to the reshuffle is Andrew Ellul, the only appointee installed by Camilleri who has retained his seat on the Planning Board under Attard.

Ellul is the husband of architect Elisabeth Ellul, who made a name for herself during Labour’s administration by recommending and issuing a series of controversial permits for development outside development zones (ODZ).

Andrew Ellul is also considered close to the Curia and was the architect entrusted with the controversial conversion of a farmhouse into a private villa for the Archbishop in Rabat, paid through the church’s funds.

While little is publicly known about the relationship between the four new appointees and the minister, PA sources told The Shift that the Office of the Prime Minister was directly involved in the selection process.

The latest changes effectively reverse the shake-up carried out by Camilleri two years ago, when he filled both the Executive Council and the Planning Board with several Gozitan appointees.

The ongoing restructuring has also extended beyond the Authority’s formal boards.

The Shift is informed that Ronnie Vella, a former aide to disgraced former prime minister Joseph Muscat who had been stationed at the Planning Authority for several years, has also been removed from his position on the direct instructions of Prime Minister Robert Abela.

Vella had long been regarded as an influential intermediary between ministers, developers, contractors and senior Planning Authority officials, despite holding no public-facing role within the Authority.

No explanation has been provided for his removal.