2023-05-11 19:59:31
SPÖ, FPÖ and NEOS address violence and child protection, monument preservation, RSO, collective agreements, House of History, film funding
Vienna (PK) – The Culture Committee today debated several opposition motions, which were adjourned with the votes of the ÖVP and the Greens. The topics ranged from protection against violence in the cultural sector to the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna (RSO) and collective agreements to the financing of film funding.
The SPÖ is concerned about the continued existence of the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna (RSO). In addition, the Social Democrats are calling for better child protection in the cultural sector and better equipment for the vera* trust center. Together with the NEOS, the SPÖ is also in favor of the House of Austrian History as an independent federal museum.
In its initiative, the FPÖ points out that the conclusion of a collective agreement for the federal museums and the Austrian National Library is still pending. With two applications, the Freedom Party is also committed to better protection of world heritage and financial incentives for private investment in monument protection.
According to NEOS, media services should make a contribution to Austrian film funding via an “investment obligation”.
SPÖ wants permanent protection of the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna
The SPÖ MPs Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek and Katharina Kucharowits fear that the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna (RSO) is still not adequately secured. To do this, politicians must ensure the legal framework, say the MPs. They demand that it remain as an independent orchestra with appropriate funding within the framework of the ORF and be included in the public service mandate of the ORF law (3289/A(E)).
State Secretary Andrea Mayer explained that the RSO is a world-class orchestra. For this reason, she worked intensively to preserve it. With the current regulation, a sustainable safeguard has been achieved. With a concept, the framework conditions for its continued existence after 2026 would now be developed.
The financing of the RSO is secured with an annual €10 million until 2026, explained Maria Großbauer (ÖVP). The federal government has thus made a clear commitment to the orchestra and commissioned a concept for its sustainable financing.
This funding is secured for the next three years, but the RSO needs to be secured in the long term for the period after 2027, demanded Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek (SPÖ). In view of the additional income from the planned budget levy, the ORF will receive an additional “noble donation” from the federal government to finance the RSO. Rosa Ecker (FPÖ) agreed with this criticism and also missed a long-term perspective for the RSO.
The restrictions provided for in the new ORF law would reduce ORF income, countered Eva Blimlinger (Greens) and explained that the process for the long-term continued existence of the RSO would begin quickly.
Henrike Brandstötter (NEOS) called for this error to be rectified and for the City of Vienna to be held accountable.
SPÖ wants better financial and staffing of the trust center vera *
Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek emphasizes the successful work of the Confidence Center against Abuse of Power in Art, Culture and Sport (vera*), to which victims of harassment and violence can turn. Not only must the important work of the trustee against all forms of harassment and violence be better financially supported. Heinisch-Hosek (3228/A(E)).
State Secretary Andrea Mayer explained that the trust center was created through good cooperation between government and opposition parties. Overall, they want to strengthen the position and have increased their budget for this reason. In addition, they are currently examining whether to set up another position in Tyrol. Overall, in addition to looking after individual cases, the position should also identify structural deficiencies and potential for improvement for better working conditions.
Abuse of power and sexism are unfortunately part of everyday life and therefore offers of help like that of the trust center are necessary, explained Katharina Kucharowits (SPÖ) and called for additional funds to further improve support.
In view of the short duration of the position, one should wait and see empirical values and then check further improvements on this basis, said Maria Smodics-Neumann (ÖVP).
Julia Seidl (NEOS) advocated an expansion of the offer not only in the east but also in the west of Austria.
SPÖ: Child protection as a funding requirement in the cultural sector
SPÖ culture spokeswoman Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek advocates better child protection in cultural institutions. Her suggestion is to define the existence of child protection concepts as a funding requirement for all institutions that work with children. Heinisch-Hosek is also calling on the federal government to draw up a comprehensive child protection law (3148/A(E)).
State Secretary Andrea Mayer reported that the department supports measures for better child protection, such as the creation and implementation of child protection concepts. In addition, a guideline for child protection is currently being drawn up.
The government parties’ commitment to child protection should be followed by action, demanded Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek (SPÖ) in the committee. Katharina Kucharowits (SPÖ) demanded that the federal government should send a signal that child protection concepts are a serious matter.
The federal government has launched a package of measures for child protection that is already having an effect in many areas, said Hermann Weratschnig (Greens). For further improvements you have to involve as many actors as possible. Private institutions that do not receive federal funding should also be “brought on board”. All institutions that work with children should get involved, agreed Maria Großbauer (ÖVP) and stated that the ÖVP had “zero tolerance” for child abuse.
Rosa Ecker (FPÖ) advocated more preventive measures in the arts and culture sector. In view of the Teichtmeister case, the flow of information should be improved in order to be able to take appropriate measures earlier. The federal government should take the issue seriously, “stay tuned” in this area and take measures, demanded Thomas Spalt (FPÖ).
Julia Seidl (NEOS) signaled support for the SPÖ initiative, but criticized the adjournment policy of the government factions.
SPÖ and NEOS: Discussion about the location for the House of History Austria continues
An application by SPÖ and NEOS on the future of the House of Austrian History (2402/A(E)). The two factions are calling for it to be set up as an independent federal museum with more resources and space.
FPÖ is pushing for a collective agreement for federal museums
The committee also dealt with an FPÖ motion for a resolution that had already been postponed several times (300/A(E)). The FPÖ demands the conclusion of a joint collective agreement for employees of the federal museums and the Austrian National Library (ÖNB) and negotiations of the directors’ conference and the employee representatives of the houses in this sense. The conclusion of a collective agreement is a “desired cultural-political goal” that she is working towards, but legally has no way of “enforcing it,” said State Secretary Andrea Mayer in the committee.
FPÖ: Anchor world heritage in federal law and support investments in monument protection
FPÖ MP Thomas Spalt recalls a resolution passed by the National Council on July 8, 2021, which aims to quickly anchor the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Monument Protection Act or in another suitable way in federal law. In a motion for a resolution, he urges that this demand be implemented as soon as possible by June 13, 2023 at the latest (3350/A(E)).
Furthermore, FPÖ culture spokesman Spalt calls for a significant expansion of the currently existing funding opportunities for private financial efforts in monument protection. The federal government should look for ways to make private investments in the preservation and renovation of listed buildings without commercial use more attractive (3353/A(E)). The preservation and revitalization of buildings for sustainable use strengthens, among other things, the regional identity, argues Spalt. In addition, rural areas in particular would benefit economically.
The contents of the applications are “correct and important,” said Laurenz Pöttinger (ÖVP). However, the governing parties are in the “home straight” for far-reaching improvements in this area. Eva Blimlinger (Greens) agreed and hoped that the initiative to make investments more attractive would be reviewed soon. Ruth Becher (SPÖ) also signaled general approval.
NEOS: Media services should contribute to film funding
Julia Seidl (NEOS) argues that it is time to use all available legal means to cover part of the state film funding expenditure. From their point of view, the EU Directive on Audiovisual Media Services (AVMS) would make this possible from a legal point of view. This regulates an “investment obligation” clearly. This means that member states can not only oblige the media service providers under their jurisdiction to also contribute financially to the production of European works through direct investments in content and through contributions to national funds. Provided that the contributions are proportionate and non-discriminatory, the obligation can also be extended by the EU states to media service providers that target viewers in their area but are established in another member state, Julia Seidl notes. She demands that Austria also extends the “investment obligation” to streaming services. The NEOS MP emphasizes that the precise implementation should be carried out together with experts and take into account the national characteristics of the Austrian film funding system. In addition, the introduction of a fee for music streaming services should be legally examined (3200/A(E)).
With the film location law, a basis has been set that already has positive effects, explained Hans Stefan Hintner (ÖVP). Before further measures are taken, the findings from the start of this law should be awaited.
One is already in talks about an “investment obligation” and on the “good way”, reported Eva Blimlinger (Greens). (closing culture committee) pst
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