2023-09-21 21:15:31
St. Pölten (OTS/NLK) – MP Richard Punz, BA (FP) reported on a motion from MPs Antauer, Kainz and others regarding harsher penalties for climate adhesives.
MP Mag. Helmut Hofer-Gruber (Neos) said that Neos preferred “climate gluers to armchair gluers” who wanted to stay in power at all costs. It would be better to deal with the topic. Distraction and excessive speed are the main causes of traffic accidents, not the climate glue. One should seek dialogue with the demonstrators. The VP should make politics for all people. This is the only way to regain the voters’ trust, not if you act as the FP’s “stirrup holder”.
MP Dr. Helga Krismer-Huber (Greens) explained that she prefers to stick to expert opinions, according to which the current criminal law is sufficient. Climate stickers would display passive behavior; there was no violence, no coercion, no intentional offense and no threat to physical safety. This civil disobedience must be endured. She doesn’t think it’s wise to sit down on the highway. But those who sit there would have to be responsible for that.
MP Kathrin Schindele (SP) said she was clearly in favor of climate protection. But people speak out once morest the form of protest of climate activism because it affects the wrong people. Because of the poor situation in public transport, commuters do not always have the opportunity to get to work differently. However, she is once morest this proposal because there are sufficient instruments in the criminal justice framework that might be exploited. However, she advocates immediate climate protection measures. She also considers it necessary to increase the state budget for public transport to the Vienna level. She tabled an amendment.
MP Martin Antauer (FP) emphasized that he was not only a representative of the citizens, but also an advocate for security. You have to “face the climate glue and their ruthless actions”. It’s not just demonstrations, but targeted actions that would paralyze traffic and also endanger human lives. The last generation believes that it is doing the right thing, but is doing the opposite because traffic jams would cause extreme CO2 emissions and would also incur incredible costs. Every second counts in an emergency and you can therefore say that the climate activists are playing with human lives.
Deputy Mag. Helmut Hofer-Gruber (Neos) spoke up to state that he had not mentioned Mr. Teichtmeister and that he had spoken out once morest the tendency towards vigilantism. He appealed to his colleague Antauer to refrain from making allegations of this kind. He noted that calls to order are now issued according to very different criteria.
MP Bernhard Heinreichsberger, MA (VP) said that when it comes to climate protection, there is always a common will in this house. If you look at the agenda, you will find topics on how the climate can be improved. Climate protection is not just a one-off project, climate protection is a political process that has to be developed anew every day. The MP explained that the images of the last few months have made him think that chaos and traffic jams are not good for climate protection. The concern of the climate adhesives is respected, but the method is not the right one. The SP agrees that civil disobedience should not endanger human lives. He doesn’t believe in streets being blocked by unannounced sticking activities. It is important to him to remain honest in the discussion.
Club chairman Dr. Helga Krismer-Huber (Greens) said that colleague Antauer did something today that the Freedom Party would like to do:
He introduced a topic into the discussion that was not there at all. This is a rhetorical way to set a topic. And that’s why she wanted to enter into a dialogue with him. He mentioned a process that had moved everyone in Austria very much and accused the Justice Minister of having something to do with a decision that a court had made. Alma Zadic has proven how much she stays out of the whole thing.
MP Dieter Dorner (FP) said that there were a few people who had been blocking traffic on various roads for months and that there had obviously been no way to counteract the mischief. The application is a request to the Minister of Justice to create the legal framework to “abolish the nonsense” – nothing more and nothing less.
The amendment was rejected with votes from the SP and the Greens. The motion was approved with votes from VP and FP.
MP Richard Punz, BA (FP) reported on a motion with a draft law from MPs Bors, Kainz and others regarding changes to the Lower Austria Police Penalty Act.
MP Mag. Helmut Hofer-Gruber (Neos) said that wild camping is not regarding nature lovers, dropouts and adventurers, but regarding alienating the Roma and Sinti ethnic group. But a colorful, free society needs fringe groups who think and live outside the mainstream. The aim is to solve problems with open-mindedness and thinking outside the box, with a willingness to take on new challenges and with new approaches. Of course, the Roma and Sinti ethnic group can continue to be ignored. But excluding, ignoring and criminalizing will not get us one inch further. In 1993, the Roma were recognized as the sixth ethnic group in Austria, which obliges the state to ensure the preservation of the ethnic group with the help of financial resources and from this derives the obligation to allow them to live here or to allow them to move through. The application should be “rejected in the deepest possible way”.
MP Wolfgang Kocevar (SP) said that his group was not that far away from the previous speaker in terms of content, but that they would agree to the motion because it was an optional provision and the mayors might best assess the situation. For him, the application was very close to the limit and he asked the question whether it was actually an application that was aimed at all citizens living in this country or whether it was regarding certain groups that one wanted to exclude. He sees the proposal as an attempt to give municipalities and mayors more control.
MP Andreas Bors (FP) explained that the issue today was regarding wild camping and asked MP Hofer-Gruber why he was making a completely different discussion out of it. Lower Austria has over 50 great campsites that have something to offer for everyone. Unfortunately, wild camping is still increasing and this affects many communities – across Lower Austria. It was particularly bad when around 500 people settled in Tulln for 14 days in 2020 – it looked terrible following that. Since there is no legal basis for a camping ban, it is difficult for communities to deal with such a case, so the aim of this application is to expand the communities’ competences when it comes to camping. This would allow communities to decide for themselves where camping outside of campsites is permitted.
Member of Parliament Christoph Kainz (VP) appealed to everyone to sit in the Lower Austrian state parliament and to represent their best ideas and positions to the best of their conscience, but that it was important not to forget a certain basic level of understanding and cooperation. Then you will be more successful in your technical work and that will also be good for the reputation of politics. Putting people at the center is also what we want with this proposal. This is not directed once morest anyone, but rather an example of the fact that rules and regulations are needed for coexistence to work. Some things are over-regulated, but he sees that this proposed law is justified because leisure behavior has changed in many areas. Even recognized ethnic groups would have to adhere to the same rules as those who stick to the streets. It is important to stick to the rules, otherwise society will not function.
State Councilor Mag. Dr. Christoph Luisser (FP) emphasized that rules are important and necessary and if people and groups do not adhere to them, it leads to problems. It is a problem when wild camping endangers order and security, causing major damage and sometimes even greater contamination. With the draft law, communities would now have the chance to protect their interests. This would create clear rules that can be flexibly adapted by each community to its needs.
The motion was approved with votes from VP, FP and SP.
Deputy Ing. Manfred Schulz (VP) spoke on a report by the Ombudsman regarding preventive human rights control 2022 and a statement by the Lower Austrian state government.
MP Mag. Edith Kollermann (Neos) said that in the service sector it is all regarding how much time you can spend on something. In the nursing profession there is often not enough time to talk to an old woman, there is often no time for adequate personal care for clients and there is often no time for supervision. This means that this profession is then perceived as less attractive. In addition, there is the impression of less appreciation from those around you.
MP Mag. Silvia Moser, MSc (Greens) emphasized that there are staff shortages everywhere. However, this report also shows that in times of staff shortages it is possible to create the best conditions for a humane life in the inpatient area. These facilities would have a few key features in common:
They are small units, there is a competent and committed management as well as committed staff and there is an identification of the employees with the facility.
MP Mag. Karin Scheele (SP) stated that the SP would agree to the good report from the Ombudsman. A persistent shortage of staff in care and youth welfare runs like a “red thread” through all facilities. The state government is now aware of this problem. She expressed respect, thanks and recognition to the staff in the nursing and care facilities as well as in child and youth welfare.
MP Andreas Bors (FP) said that in the 2022 reporting year, these Ombudsman commissions were deployed 481 times across Austria. In Lower Austria, these commissions carried out 107 checks. Most of the complaints concerned the lack of staff. The compulsory vaccination certainly did not improve the situation regarding the staffing situation in the nursing sector. There would be a shortage of 90,000 nursing staff by 2030. The FP has taken note of the report and will agree to it.
MP Hermann Hauer (VP) stated that human rights are of enormous importance. There is always room for improvement. After the challenges in the health sector, normality has returned to the care and support centers and there are events once more and visiting services can now take place once more. He thanked the Ombudsman, the members of the commissions, everyone working in the nursing sector, the specialist departments, the state governor, the members of the government and the volunteers.
Vote: The report was adopted unanimously
The following agenda items were addressed together with separate reporting and voting:
• Early maternity leave (“Papa month”) in the state service (rapporteur MP Mag. Karin Scheele (SP). The committee motion is rejected.
• Amendment to the Lower Austrian State Health Agency Act (NÖ LGA-G) (rapporteur MP Otto Auer (VP).
MP Dominic Hörlezeder (Greens) said it was possible for fathers to stay at home for four weeks following the birth of their child. There is 740 euros from the state for this. The federal government increased this bonus to 1,480 euros per month. This measure will certainly mean that more fathers will be able to enjoy Dad Month.
MP Mag. Edith Kollermann (Neos) said that the compatibility of family and career is very important. The discussion that fathers are treated differently in the state service must already be held. Your group will agree to the negative committee motion. On the subject of the LGA’s service law, she says that we understand the urgent need for regulation and will agree to the application, but the causes also need to be addressed more strongly and not just symptoms combated.
MP Mag. Silvia Moser, MSc (Greens) said in advance that the motion would be approved. However, there are countless other construction sites in the LGA, such as additional work contracts for doctors to avoid working hours. She knows that the LGA has actively offered such models and emphasized that everyone must adhere to the law, including those responsible for the LGA. Countless special contracts also cost a lot of money and made the LGA easily vulnerable to blackmail. It’s also regarding taxpayers’ money. The MP also spoke of working hours and a series of exemptions from night shifts in the LGA clinics and care centers, which are seriously affecting the motivation of the permanent staff.
MP René Pfister (SP) said that the motion on agenda item 14 would be approved because it was a first correct and inevitable step. However, he criticized the duration of implementation only more than 24 months following the relevant Supreme Court decision. Regarding agenda item 13, Pfister said an increase was urgently needed, but it didn’t pay off financially and full payment was needed for daddy’s month.
MP Jürgen Handler (FP) spoke on agenda item 14 and stated that constantly stepping in when staff are unavailable and being constantly available means enormous workloads, but also strains on family matters. Despite everything, the employer must maintain health care. This change would now cover legal steps for compensation for unplanned deployments. Despite everything, this does not alleviate the shortage of staff in the clinics; there are still major challenges here. Regarding agenda item 13, Handler summarized: Since September 1, 2019, all employed fathers have been legally entitled to financial support, the family time bonus, the daily rate of which has now been doubled by the federal government to 47.82 euros (1,480 euros for 31 days). The question here is how social the present application is if it only leads to improvements for one group of people.
MP Christian Gepp, MSc (VP) said on agenda item 13 that a father’s month with full wage compensation would be a huge imbalance compared to, for example, fathers who work in the private sector. Full wage compensation for everyone would also require a federal decision. Regarding the change to the Lower Austrian State Health Agency Act, he stated that stand-in services ensure service operations in health facilities. The application will be approved.
When voting on early maternity leave (“dad month”) in the state service, the application was accepted with the consent of VP, FP and NEOS. (Rejection SP, GREENS)
When voting to amend the Lower Austrian State Health Agency Act (NÖ LGA-G), the application was unanimously accepted.
The following two agenda items were treated together with separate reporting (each MP Bernhard Heinreichsberger, MA – VP) and voting:
• Additional federal initiatives to protect our forests by extending the forest fund beyond 2025.
• Do not endanger biomass expansion – local wood must not be equated with brown coal!
MP Peter Gerstner (FP) opened the discussion and spoke regarding the extension of the forest fund. Lower Austria has the second largest forest area of all federal states, 742,000 hectares of forest. The need of the hour is to preserve the forests to their full extent, because they provide clean air, clean water, a healthy ecosystem and are a habitat for plants and animals. Since 2018, massive bark beetle infestations have already destroyed the area of Lake Neusiedl, causing damage worth 200 million euros. For this reason alone, the federal government must extend the measures and continue to co-finance them.
MP Richard Hogl (VP) said that they would support an extension because the forest is a central habitat for plants and many wild animals, provides clean air, clean water and is an important source of wood, which we use as a building material and which supplies renewable energy is. The interest must be to maintain healthy forests in the future and to encourage forest owners to continue releasing trees.
MP Mag. Helmut Hofer-Gruber (Neos) said the forest is valuable for the climate and an important economic factor. Responsible forest management is one of the most sustainable things in today’s economy. However, this management needs to be rethought in view of climate change; the planning horizon in forestry should be 30 to 40 years. Hofer-Gruber concluded by saying that the application would be approved.
MP Dominic Hörlezeder (Greens) said that this summer with heavy rain events, floods, storms and heat waves showed the tipping point our planet is at. A turnaround will not be achieved without measures to reduce CO2, more wind power, faster network expansion, but above all not without climate change adaptation. Farmers are already feeling the consequences of the climate crisis, through destroyed harvests, extreme weather events or reduced yields due to heat and drought. The bark beetle infestation of native spruces has shown that mixed forests adapted to climate change must be gradually created. The forest fund is a valuable means of supporting forest owners and also compensating them.
MP Rene Zonschits (SP) explained that the SP would also support the motion to support forest farmers in combating the bark beetle. The forest fund is an important means of preserving forests throughout Austria and the measures must extend beyond 2025 in order to guarantee ecologically sensible forest management and keep forest managers competitive. The proposal under agenda item 16 will also be supported because a certification system for biomass should ensure that it meets certain sustainability criteria and that production and use can be carried out in an environmentally and therefore socially responsible manner. What one cannot understand, according to the MP, is that the federal government is unable to introduce a practical certification system in Austria. This endangers the business location and creates further price pressure in the energy sector, which people have to bear. He therefore submitted a request for a separate vote on point 2.
MP Alexander Schnabel (FP) said on agenda item 16 that the expansion of biomass, especially local wood, is an essential component for a sustainable energy future. However, questionable EU laws would pose major challenges to the value chain, because from January 1, 2024, biomass must meet certain sustainability and certification points, but the Austrian system does not do this, which is why domestic biomass will be priced at the same price as lignite from 2024. In Lower Austria alone, at least six affected thermal power plants would then have to invest an additional eight million euros per system per year in order to purchase suitable certificates.
MP Josef Edlinger, MBA (VP) said that the forest is important and that it fulfills vital and important economic functions. The forest is also needed to achieve the heat transition. However, some signals from Brussels are counterproductive. However, things are fundamentally regulated in the Austrian Forestry Act. The forest is growing in the area, but the supply of wood has also increased. The mandatory certification causes problems in Austria. Practical guidelines are needed, which is why this application was submitted.
The request for a split vote was approved unanimously. The committee motion point 2 was approved with votes from VP, FP and Neos. The rest of the committee motion was approved with votes from VP, FP, SP and NEOS.
MP Ing. Franz Linsbauer (VP) reported on a motion with a draft law from MPs Ing. Linsbauer, Dorner and others regarding changes to the Lower Austrian Soil Protection Act (NÖ BSG).
MP Rene Zonschits (SP) said that soil is a valuable resource, which is why they support the motion.
MP Alexander Schnabel (FP) said that the use of sewage sludge as fertilizer in agriculture was subject to an EU directive. In addition to reporting to the EU Commission, data must be made available to the public. The legal basis should now be changed in order to respond to the EU directive. Environmental protection is very important to the FP, which is why the draft law will be approved.
Deputy Ing. Manfred Schulz (VP) said that they supported these requirements and of course approved the application.
The motion was passed unanimously.
MP Mag. Kerstin Suchan-Mayr (SP) reported on a motion with a draft law from MPs Mag. Suchan-Mayr, Mag. Hackl, Handler, etc. regarding changes to the Lower Austrian Allotment Garden Act.
MP Mag. Helmut Hofer-Gruber (Neos) said that the allotment law was “not the hottest topic”. But in the Danube city, houses that were built too large have been legalized, and this application also goes in a similar direction. We will therefore not support the application.
MP Mag. Christian Samwald (SP) does not share the opinion of the previous speaker. Insulation and adaptation of the small houses are the order of the day. He would especially like to thank State Councilor Hergovich, Deputy Suchan-Mayr and everyone who contributed to this change. It is an improvement for the allotment gardens and he wishes you a nice time in the allotment gardens.
MP Jürgen Handler (FP) explained that building and spatial planning was crucial. This also includes the allotment garden law. It involves minor changes to building regulations, so the application will be approved.
MP Otto Auer (VP) said that the allotment garden settlement should remain that way and not be converted into a housing estate. Energy efficiency is necessary. However, there should not be year-round living there. The recreational value should be preserved.
The motion was approved with votes from VP, FP and SP.
(Forts.)
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