Following an alleged "cover-up" within his ministry,[1] he was removed from office by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on 9 December 2014 and replaced by Carmelo Abela.

[2] In 2016, Mallia returned to the cabinet as Minister for Competitiveness and Digital, Maritime and Services Economy, a portfolio which he retained until the 2017 general election.

[citation needed] Mallia holds posts as legal advisor to a number of Companies and Employers' Associations.

Mallia contested Malta's general elections for the first time in March 2013 on the Labour Party ticket and was elected in the 9th district (Ħal Għargħur, L-Imsida, San Ġwann, Is-Swieqi, Ta' Xbiex) and district 10 (Il-Gżira, Pembroke, San Ġiljan, Tas-Sliema).

He announced his candidature at the Labour Party General Conference in January 2012 when he was invited to address this assembly on the last day, just before the closing speech of the leader Joseph Muscat.