Carinthia is leading the way throughout Austria with its own basic child security system

2023-08-11 16:05:40

Kaiser, Babler, Schaunig: let’s eliminate child poverty together and give all our children prospects for a good future.

Klagenfurt – The SPÖ chairman Andreas Babler is currently touring through Austria under the motto “Back to justice”. Carinthia is the first stop – the aim is to visit all 94 districts – from the Mühlviertel to Lake Neusiedl, from Lake Constance to Vienna. Today, Friday, as a prelude to his visit to Carinthia, a press conference took place in the state organization of the SPÖ Carinthia, together with the SPÖ Carinthia state party chairman LH Peter Kaiser and LHStv.in Gaby Schaunig. Most important topic: The abolition of child poverty in Austria, ways to get there and how Carinthia can serve as a model in many areas.

“For the second time we can welcome Andreas Babler in Carinthia – we would have liked to have wished for different circumstances, but at this very moment, on behalf of those injured by the storm, we are renewing our appeal to the federal government, the disaster fund with appropriate funds equipment in order to be able to help the Carinthians quickly and unbureaucratically. We know that we can also rely on Andreas Babler for support with this request,” said LH Kaiser at the beginning of the press conference.

However, the focus of the press conference was an extremely important topic for the future: the fight once morest child poverty. “From autumn 2023, attending child education and childcare facilities in Carinthia will be free. With this we are completing a project that was started in 2018 as a Carinthian children’s scholarship. Carinthia has created around 3,000 new childcare places since 2018 and increased the budget for elementary education from 56 million in 2018 to almost 100 million in 2022. Thanks to the new child education and care law, Carinthian families save up to 4,000 euros per year and child. In addition, we are reducing the group sizes and the teachers receive up to 40 percent more salary. The reform of the educational building fund means that investments can now also be made in the construction and renovation of kindergartens and day-care centers,” says LH Kaiser with the conclusion: “Why are we doing this? Because we know – education prevents poverty. Education is the only way to create equal opportunities and enable social participation in all areas. In addition, education is the best economic investment par excellence – every euro invested in education returns with a 17-fold return,” says Kaiser

“The direct contact to the people is what I demand of politics. It’s regarding taking part in what moves people. You can only do that on site in a conversation, and I’m looking forward to that,” said SPÖ federal party chairman Andreas Babler, who before today’s press conference had already met with mayors whose communities suffered badly from the storms. “At this point I would like to express my great respect for all emergency services,” said Babler and added: “In view of these events, it is important to plan strategically for the future – starting with the best equipment for the fire brigades to financial support of the municipalities.”

Babler expressed great praise for the Carinthian politicians for the practical and educational approach that Carinthian politicians show in eliminating child poverty. “For us as Social Democrats, there are two main approaches to child poverty: Firstly, child poverty is a problem for society as a whole, which we must consider as such and not treat it as a marginal issue. Second, children have rights. Children have the right to realize themselves and to participate in social life. Children have the right to a warm meal and a roof over their heads. Every child in Austria has the right to opportunities,” said Babler.

“In Austria we are talking regarding around 355,000 children who are at risk of poverty – and the trend is rising. To change that, a strong welfare state is needed, not an empty one. We want free all-day childcare for all of Austria and low-threshold, unbureaucratic support for everyone who needs support. We simply need structural changes to maintain and promote equity. Of course, this also applies to an active policy to counteract inflation – from a temporary suspension of VAT on groceries to a rent cap. And of course we finally want to implement basic child security. With an effective measure, we can de facto abolish the child toll,” says Babler.

“There is no rational reason why children in Austria have to be poor. Let’s solve this together,” appealed LHStv.in Gaby Schaunig. “In Carinthia we are talking regarding around 17,000 children affected by poverty or at risk of poverty. Our suggestion: Depending on the family income, an average of 300 euros per month and child up to the age of 18 will be paid out in addition to the family allowance. The total costs for this basic child security would amount to 50 million euros. If the federal government were to bear half of the costs, then the state of Carinthia might – even with a tight budget – cover the other 25 million, and we would have solved this problem,” said Schaunig.

A joint solidarity is crucial for the finance officer in order to provide targeted and effective help: “A very specific offer: In Carinthia we have a child education and care law that allows the promotion of company kindergartens and day care centers. Instead of aligning mutual desires – the Austrian Chamber of Commerce is calling for the area of ​​childcare to be expanded – why don’t we implement it together? Here’s the invitation – let’s implement it together, let’s show here in Carinthia how it’s done,” says Schaunig.

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Questions & contact:

Press office of the SPÖ Carinthia
+43(0)463/577 88 DW 66 | Fax:[phone]
www.kaernten.spoe.at
the [e-mail]

SPÖ regional organization Carinthia
Lidmanskygasse 15
9020 Klagenfurt a.W.

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