The Upper Austrian Health Councilor Christine Haberlander (ÖVP) once again reaches a means that is more known from authoritarian systems than from a democratic constitutional state: If you do not let your children vaccinate against measles, you should no longer get child benefit in the future. What she wanted to practice on childcare allowance in 2022 is now planning on a large scale – and again fueling fear and pressure among parents who claim a free vaccination decision.
“Haberlander’s idea of health policy has been the same for years: if you do not obey, you will be financially punished. Today it is measles vaccination, maybe tomorrow the next compulsory injection,” says Labg. Dagmar Häusler, BSC. sharp. “As early as 2022, she proposed to link the childcare allowance to the vaccination status. Now she goes one step further and wants to establish child benefit – i.e. family allowance – on conditions that equal to a hidden obligation to vaccinate. This is a political attack on the freedom of citizens and an absolute border crossing under constitutional law.”
Social benefits only in the event of obedience?
For the MFG it is clear: social benefits such as child benefit or childcare allowance serve to financial relief from families – not the enforcement of political agendas. “When the state begins to establish existential services on conditions that are associated with medical interventions in physical integrity, it exceeds a red line,” says Häusler.
Young father and MfG club chairman Manuel Krautgartner also finds clear words: “As a father, I decide what is right for my daughter-not Ms. Haberlander and not the state.
Family allowance is a general performance – regardless of worldview, vaccination status or lifestyle. To re -interpret them for educational measures at will, opens the door and gate abuse. “This is the start of an authoritarian social loan system based on Chinese,” warns Häusler.
Legally questionable – socially split
It is already clear: Such a measure would not only raise constitutional questions, but also put families under enormous pressure – especially single parents and parents with a critical attitude towards certain vaccines. “What is attempted here is to avoid the constitutionally highly sensitive obligation to vaccinate by the back door. The fundamental right to physical integrity and self -determination must not be undermined by economic pressure.”
Freedom instead of vaccination through the back door
The MFG calls for the immediate stop of all plans to link social benefits to medical measures. “If parents decide against a vaccination – for whatever reason – then that is to be respected. In a free society there is no reward for obedience. And no punishment for personal responsibility,” clarifies Häusler.
“It is enough – Ms. Haberlander, step back”
The measure is finally full for the MFG. “Every mother, every father knows how painful it is when you are taken away by the right to decide on the health of your own children. Imagine you are faced with the decision to put your child under a medical intervention that you do not want, or you lose the money that your family urgently needs to live. What Christine Haberlander is not simply politics – it is an attack on the dignity and freedom of every single family. Set, and finally step back before your political game becomes bitter! ”, Häusler concludes.