Rene Wenk: New State Audit Office Director for Stricter Control!

Rene Wenk: New State Audit Office Director for Stricter Control!

An important step for transparency in Burgenland: 46-year-old René Wenk was nominated as the new director of the State Audit Office. This decision was made in an agreement between the state clubs, and Wenk, who is currently head of department in the Austrian Court of Auditors, will take over the office of Andreas Mihalits after the ten -year service, which ends at the end of July 2025. SPÖ club chairman Robert Hergovich emphasizes that the qualifications of Wenks and a successful hearing before the State Audit Office committee were decisive for this appointment. According to Hergovich, the agreement between the parties will secure a constructive cooperation over the next ten years, as well as Wenks expertise in the fight against corruption should be emphasized because he already worked at Transparency International. FPÖ club chairman Norbert Hofer, who brought the proposal, has been recognized by FPÖ club chairman Norbert Hofer that the State Audit Office Director will present the test reports directly to the mandatar in the future. This would strengthen parliamentary control in Burgenland, says Hofer, and he sees the possibility that Wenk should answer questions about the reports as an important improvement. Currently, the director only has speech and response law in the budget state day, which according to orf.at should be urgently reformed.

The new state auditor's head is seen as the “most important control instrument” of the Burgenland state parliament. ÖVP club chairman Ulram emphasizes the need for critical test reports in order to identify potential for improvement in the executive. Wenk sees the task grown and is recognized by the state parliament parties to continue the important role of the Court of Auditors.