At the young age of 27, Owen Bonnici was elected to Parliament in the 2008 general election which he contested on behalf of the Labour Party. Since then, he has been elected in every other general election – 2013, 2017 and 2022.
Born in Zejtun, and the youngest of two brothers, Owen Bonnici has been active in politics and the Labour Party for most of his young and adult life.
Dr Bonnici is a lawyer by profession, graduating with a Bachelor of legal studies and humanistic (European studies) degree in 2001 and as Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta in 2004. He furthered his studies and graduated with a diploma in Canon jurisprudence in 2005 from the Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Tribunal.
Owen Bonnici worked as a lawyer in private practice and teaches at the Faculty of Laws of the University of Malta as a teaching Associate. As a lawyer, he worked closely with former Prime Minister and one of Malta’s foremost industrial lawyers, the late Dr Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici.
Minister Bonnici political journey started from his elected role as a local councillor in Marsascala and was eventually elected Deputy Mayor. He was active within the Labour Party from a young age and was elected to serve as a Member of the Labour Party’s National Executive for many years.
The first time that he was elected to Parliament, in 2008, was a special occasion for Owen Bonnici since on that day his daughter, Ema, was born.
During his first term in Parliament, he was appointed by the Labour Party to coordinate the views and suggestions of the elected members of his party and engage with the opposition party members on the Divorce Bill which eventually became law.
Between 2008 and 2013, Dr Bonnici served as the Opposition Spokesperson for Youth and Culture, followed by higher Education, University and Research.
In 2013, when the Labour Party was elected to government, Owen Bonnici was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Justice.
In 2014 he was promoted to Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and served in that portfolio till the 2017 general election.
In 2013, he worked on a bill to ensure that corruption cases against politicians are not time barred, and any accused will not be able to invoke prescription if a case is in the court. He also. undertook strong reforms in the field of drug laws to stop treating victims of drug abuse as criminals but rather as human beings who deserve care and assistance.
As Justice Minister, he implemented a landmark reform within the Justice sector, the appointment of the judiciary in that the government would no longer be involved in the appointment of judges and magistrates but they are now chosen by an independent Judicial Appointments Committee.
Under his helm, a new law regulating the financing of political parties was introduced in January 2016.
Following the 2017 general election, Dr Bonnici was reconfirmed as Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government until he was appointed Minister for Education and Employment in 2020.
He was subsequently assigned responsibility for Research, Innovation and the Co-ordination of the Post-COVID-19 Strategy and later, on 26 March 2021, the Equality portfolio was added to his Ministerial responsibilities.
In the 2022 general election, Dr Bonnici was elected from two electoral districts and was appointed Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government by Prime Minister Robert Abela.
In his current role, as Minister for the National Heritage, Arts and Local Government, he saw major changes in all these areas. He luanched MICAS, Malta’s first international contemporary art museum. Under his helm NAPA, the National Agency for Performing Arts was formed. Other entities under his ministerial responsibility and which are giving significant exposure to local talent are the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra; Festivals Malta, the Valletta Cultural Agency; Arts Council Malta and Heritage Malta.
Dr Bonnici is also responsible for the Public Broadcasting Services and the Malta Film Commission.
Dr Bonnici has recently announced another massive project, the launch of the Culture and Arts Hub a €23 million project due by 2027, which will offer a central space for carnival and cultural activities
During 2024 Minister Bonnici served as Leader of the House of Representatives.
Owen Bonnici’s greatest passion is football, and he supports the UK football club Southampton FC. He enjoys reading, music, art and culture.
