Originally from Cospicua, Alison Zerafa Civelli lives in Kalkara with her husband, Christian, and their daughter, Carla. The second of five siblings, Alison is the daughter of Emanuela and Anthony Zerafa.
Alison has always attended government schools. Following sixth form, she enrolled at the University of Malta, where she completed a Bachelor of Education. She subsequently obtained a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Malta.
An educator by profession, Alison has taught at various levels in government schools. Throughout her career, she has worked with students experiencing social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, as well as with children from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2016, she served as an Assistant Principal and later as an Educational Coordinator at another learning centre.
Between 2013 and 2022, Alison served as Mayor of Cospicua. This experience gave her valuable insight into the practicalities of Local Government and brought her closer to the community through her daily contact with residents and the challenges they faced.
In March 2022, Alison successfully contested the General Election with the Labour Party and was elected to the Maltese Parliament. Following her election, she was entrusted with the role of Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government.
Alison was re-elected to Parliament in the General Election of May 2026. Following the formation of the new Government, she was appointed Minister for Local Government and Public Works on 4 June 2026. In this role, she is responsible for Local Government and Public Works, as well as the area of public cleanliness.
Political and Local Involvement
Alison’s involvement in politics and voluntary work began at the age of sixteen. She was actively involved in several local voluntary organisations while also becoming an active member of the Labour Party.
Her first volunteering experience was with Dar it-Tama in Cospicua, followed by her involvement with the local Cospicua Labour Party committee. She also contributed to the Labour Party at national level, including through the National Executive and the Labour Youth Forum.
Alison has also participated in several popular television programmes on ONE TV, including Bla Agenda, Viċi-Versa, Sitta Ġewwa and others.
Her political, educational and voluntary experience has strengthened her commitment to public service and to working closely with communities. This experience has also shaped her belief in the importance of listening to people’s concerns, supporting those most in need and ensuring that local communities have a strong voice in decisions that affect their daily lives.
As Minister for Local Government and Public Works, Alison is responsible for strengthening Local Government, supporting Local Councils, overseeing Public Works and advancing efforts to improve public cleanliness and the quality of public spaces across Malta and Gozo.
Dr Owen Bonnici is the Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts, and the Local Government.
He was born and raised in Zejtun and is the youngest of two siblings.
Owen Bonnici read law at the University of Malta and graduated with a B.A. In Legal and Humanistic Studies (European Studies) in 2001 and a Doctorate of Laws from the University of Malta in 2004. He furthered his studies and obtained a diploma in Canonical Jurisprudence in 2005 from the Maltese Ecclesiastical Tribunal.
He practiced as a lawyer in private practice and lectures at the Faculty of Law in the University of Malta as a ‘teaching associate’.
Minister Bonnici was first elected as a local Councillor in Marsaskala, and then as a deputy mayor of Marsascala. He was also elected various times as a member of the National Executive Committee within the Labour Party.
He was subsequently elected to Parliament for the first time in 2008 at the age of 27 years. On that same day, his daughter Ema was born.
Between 2008 and 2013, Minister Bonnici served as a Shadow Minister for Youths & Culture and also for Higher Education, University & Research. Upon the election of a new Labour Government in 2013, Dr Bonnici served as Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and, later, in 2014, as Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government.
He was re-elected in 2017, and was once again appointed as Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government. He subsequently served as Minister for Education and Employment and later as Minister for Research, Innovation and the co-ordination of the post-COVID-19 strategy. On the 26th of March 2021 he was also given the responsibility of the Equality portfolio.
In the 2022 election, Dr Bonnici was returned from two electoral districts. On the 30th of March, he was appointed as Minister For The National Heritage, The Arts, And the Local Government.
He is a passionate football fan and supports Southampton FC. Loves reading, music, art, and culture.
Dr Bonnici lives with Remenda Grech in Zurrieq.