St. Pölten (OTS/NLK) – Representative René Lobner (VP) reported on a motion regarding Amendment to the Lower Austrian Kindergarten Act 2006 and the Lower Austrian Child Care Act 1996 (NÖ KBG).
MP Mag. Indra Collini (Neos) opened the debate: It is to be welcomed that more money is flowing into childcare. However, she would like to see liabilities in relation to the additional funds. Opening kindergartens for two-year-olds is a feat of strength in terms of the places available and the quality of care. The goal must be a legal right to care from the first birthday.
MP Mag. Georg Ecker, MA (Greens) emphasized that the kindergarten is the first and most important educational institution. This is exactly where investments need to be made, especially in Lower Austria. The adjustment phase is positive, working conditions and pay need to be improved. Support workers for children with disabilities should not depend on the goodwill of the mayor. He brought one Request for a split vote a.
MP Elvira Schmidt (SP) said that the group sizes were already too high, so the change for small communities was not a good solution. There is no space for master’s studies, the educational time must last the whole day. We need legal rights for every child and freedom of choice for all mothers. A compulsory second year of kindergarten is particularly beneficial for socially disadvantaged children. Finally, she made one of these demands Motion for resolution a.
MP Mag. Anja Scherzer (FP) spoke of necessary adjustments to help parents better combine work and family. Childcare for two-year-olds is an opportunity, not a requirement. She said that overall her group would see this optimization positively and that is why the FP would support this law.
MP Doris Schmidl (VP) said that the care offensive for children always presents new challenges. This topic is always very sensitive, it concerns the youngest members of society. Parents should be able to carry out their work and also know that their children are in good hands. The care key has been reduced and the communities would now receive 48.6 percent funding instead of 27 percent.
The request for a split vote was approved unanimously. The draft law Article 1, paragraph 17 was adopted by VP, FP, SP, Neos; Rejection was made by the Green Group. The remainder of the committee motion was approved unanimously. The motion for a resolution regarding further necessary measures in childcare was rejected.
Representative Josef Edlinger, MBA (VP) reported on a motion regarding State law amending the Lower Austrian state election regulations 1992 (LWO) and the Lower Austrian municipal council election regulations 1994 (GRWO).
MP Mag. Helmut Hofer-Gruber (Neos) stated that his group would agree to the motion. There is still a lot that needs to be changed and improved in the local council election regulations. Other democracy-related topics would also need to be revised.
MP Dr. Helga Krismer-Huber (Greens) emphasized that it was gratifying that the parties had managed to make significant changes. The voter records would now be handed out in such a way that the party campaigning for the election could actually advertise for the election.
MP Mag. Christian Samwald (SP) said this initiative was a step in the right direction. It is time for the electoral roll to be available electronically. In this sense, the Social Democrats will also support this motion.
MP Dieter Dorner (FP) said it was gratifying that a five-party proposal was being negotiated here. It is an important step that the electoral rolls are available in electronic form.
MP René Lobner (VP) emphasized that an all-party motion would be decided here. This year is a super election year, starting with the European elections, the National Council elections in September and the local council elections in January 2025.
The motion was passed unanimously.
MP Mag. Hubert Keyl (FP) reported on a motion regarding Amendment to the Lower Austrian Basic Services Act.
MP Martin Antauer (FP) stated that the effect of this measure was already evident and that many asylum seekers were now moving to Vienna. The liberal handwriting is already clearly visible. It cannot be the case that women or girls are afraid of asylum seekers. Due to today’s changes, basic services for asylum seekers could be restricted.
MP Mag. Edith Kollermann (Neos) said the FP had to set an example for its voters. The fear is that this card will create a new bureaucratic monster. It would be much better to come to a nationwide uniform solution.
MP Mag. Silvia Moser, MSc (Greens) said that this would further restrict people who only receive a small amount of money. What that has to do with security is completely unclear to her. The idea of introducing such a card is fundamentally legitimate. It’s an amount of just over 200 euros per month. The payment card is “a harassment” and “xenophobic”. Your group would certainly not agree.
MP Kathrin Schindele (SP) said that nationwide solutions were needed. An asylum card in the form planned by Lower Austria would increase the costs of the asylum procedure. A Amendment calls for real solutions instead of show politics and “friendship economy”.
MP Andreas Bors (FP) replied that it was not about xenophobia, but about “politics with common sense”. The benefit card prevents the money from being spent on alcohol, cigarettes and smugglers and prevents immigration into the social system. Every year there are thousands of false asylum seekers who are not concerned about protection and help. Illegal mass immigration should finally be effectively stopped. Lower Austria must be made as unattractive as possible in this area.
MP Mag. Edith Kollermann (Neos) spoke up again: The idea was good, but the attitude behind it was “disgusting”.
Second President Gottfried Waldhäusl (FP) objected to the word “disgusting”.
MP DI Franz Dinhobl (VP) said that the flow of asylum had presented Lower Austria with enormous challenges in view of different values, a lack of understanding of democracy and increased crime. This is a trial operation and there will be further refinements. Things are also moving in this direction throughout Austria.
The amendment remained in the minority; the motion was approved with a VP/FP majority.
MP Mag. Christian Samwald (SP) reported on a motion regarding Amendment to the Lower Austrian State and Municipal Pay Act 1997. The committee motion is rejected.
MP Mag. Helmut Hofer-Gruber (Neos) opened the debate: When it comes to politicians’ salaries, there should be a debate about performance instead of one based on envy. It would be okay for Lower Austrian government members to earn more than ministers if they also did more, which is not possible due to their competencies. The decision to increase salaries in the middle of the year was a “sham par excellence”. We have to move away from spending and towards responsibility federalism.
MP René Pfister (SP) explained that a full-time commercial employee earns 1,822 euros for 40 hours. In contrast, the state government is increasing its salaries for the next six months by 150,000 euros. Paying school start fees to 1,500 families instead would be a sensible investment. It’s about justice, foresight and responsibility towards our fellow countrymen. In the event of a salary increase, the SP government members would donate the amounts to charitable purposes.
MP Jürgen Handler (FP) said the last motion in this regard was unanimously accepted. The current SP application is only there to “fill the summer slump”.
MP Christoph Kainz (VP) spoke of party political reasons. Submitting this motion would be “populist from the SP”. He also doesn’t want a jealous debate, but he is convinced that the VP government members, unlike others, did their work 100 percent.
The request from the Legal and Constitutional Committee was rejected and was accepted with the votes of the VP, FP and the Greens.
(Forts.)
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