KPÖ files 11 complaints against tourism associations

Salzburg’s KPÖ has filed 11 complaints with the Salzburg Administrative Court after tourism associations refused to disclose their finances under Austria’s Freedom of Information Act, ORF reported.

Fourteen tourism associations were asked to provide information. Eleven rejected the requests, according to KPÖ parliamentary group leader Natalie Hangöbl.

The party did not want to wait for a ruling on the Saalbach-Hinterglemm Tourism Association. Austria’s highest judges in Vienna have yet to decide whether to uphold or reject a recent ruling by the Salzburg Administrative Court requiring the association to disclose its finances.

Hangöbl said the associations receive public money, meaning the public has a right to know how it is used. She also pointed to compulsory membership in the associations and the millions of euros involved.

After the state parliament’s summer recess, the KPÖ and SPÖ plan to seek a legal amendment allowing the Salzburg Court of Audit to audit the tourism associations.