Vienna (PK) – The National Council continued its budget debate on the draft budget for 2024 this afternoon with the areas of economy, tourism and economic research. The budget for the economics department is expected to fall by €270 million to €3.25 billion next year. This decline is due in particular to significantly lower payments for the investment bonus of around €683 million for 2024 (-€1.5 billion compared to 2023), as many companies have already implemented and accounted for their investments and therefore have a lower amount in 2024 Funding needs are to be expected. However, this is offset by significantly higher or additional payments for energy cost subsidies for companies totaling €1.88 billion (+€1 billion), particularly for the implementation of the energy cost subsidy 2 (€1.45 billion) and the energy cost flat rate 2 (€0.43 billion) the budget requirement is expected to increase significantly. An authorization of €1.5 billion is also planned for the energy cost subsidy and the flat rate energy cost allowance. Economics Minister Martin Kocher countered objections in the debate by saying that it was a crisis measure and that double funding would be ruled out.
For the first time, €150 million in national funding in the semiconductor industry is budgeted, as implementation of the European Chips Act is scheduled to begin in 2024. Austria already has a very good positioning in this field, which is now being expanded with a view to additional jobs, said Economics Minister Kocher. According to the estimate, 18 additional positions are planned for the Federal Competition Authority (BWB), the minister emphasized. In addition, the budgeted payments for the BWB will increase by €2.4 million to €8.3 million, especially with regard to transparency measures to strengthen competition. Elisabeth Götze (Greens) added that expanded powers, for example in merger control, are also planned for the authority in the future.
Funding in the film industry for FISA+ is expected to increase by €72.4 million to €90.7 million, as the new film funding model introduced in 2023 will be very well received by the film industry, as Kocher emphasized. An expansion of the funds for the castle administration should flow into construction measures that benefit the construction industry, the minister noted in connection with the debate about the construction order situation.
The economic budget also includes compensation for the loss of examination fees for master craftsmanship and qualification examinations with around €12 million, which Peter Haubner (ÖVP) considers an important step. However, Peter Wurm (FPÖ) submitted a motion for a resolution demanding that the corresponding preparatory courses for master craftsmanship and qualification examinations should also be free of charge.
Opposition criticism of economic policy in times of inflation
Christoph Matznetter (SPÖ) sees what he sees as the federal government’s lack of measures against inflation as an overall “attack on the national economy”. Like Rainer Wimmer (SPÖ), he discussed the collective agreement negotiations, according to which compensation for inflation was no longer offered because competitiveness had declined. He accused the ÖVP of “clientel politics” and particularly criticized the fact that no steps had been taken regarding rents and profits for banks and energy companies. Maximilian Lercher (SPÖ) also criticized the federal government’s unwillingness to take price-cutting measures. It is important to look at the business location as a whole. There is a need for an economic stimulus package for the construction industry and federal investments in non-profit housing for inexpensive apartments. In any case, the implementation of the Chips Act is important, said Petra Oberrauner (SPÖ). But reasonable requirements are needed so that production remains in Austria.
From the point of view of Peter Haubner (ÖVP), reducing corporate tax is an important step for competitiveness and job security. With the implementation of the Chips Act, the location will become even more attractive. Kurt Egger (ÖVP) told Matznetter that a 32-hour week was being demanded, where many positions could not be filled anyway, as an “attack on the economy”. The federal government has already announced that infrastructure projects would be brought forward. Laurenz Pöttinger (ÖVP) highlighted the implementation of the Chips Act as a future-oriented, clear commitment to Austria as a business and industrial location.
Axel Kassegger (FPÖ), on the other hand, spoke of a “disaster budget” also with regard to location policy. He sees the problem in the sanctions policy and in excessive energy policy with regard to fossil fuels, but also in the fact that people are not offered any incentives to make performance worthwhile again. Instead, the tax rate is still too high. Kassegger introduced a motion for a resolution with which the Freedom Party called for a package of measures to stimulate the local economy, industry and especially the construction industry. Christian Ragger (FPÖ) criticized that the forecast real decline in GDP was due to failures on the part of the coalition. In addition, industrial companies would have their feet “pulled out from under them” with CO2 pricing.
Gerald Loacker (NEOS) considers the energy cost subsidy 2 to be a “watering can”. In addition to the amount of €1.4 billion earmarked for this purpose, there would also be an excess authorization of €1.5 billion. From his point of view, companies that pass on high energy prices to consumers now also receive an energy cost subsidy from tax money. The tax burden in Austria is also too high, says Loacker. As far as increasing film funding is concerned, Julia Seidl (NEOS) spoke out in favor of an investment bond so that a certain part of the income would flow back.
Tourism budget: Expiry of funds for Corona measures
In the tourism sector, payments will fall to €62.7 million in 2024 (-€48.0 million), as the COVID-19 protective shield for events (-€44.0 million) in particular will expire and not in 2024 more is budgeted. The main areas of disbursement in this detailed budget relate to the federal government’s membership fee for Austrian advertising (€30 million), commercial tourism promotion (€21 million) and strategic projects to address current tourism policy issues.
Tourism State Secretary Susanne Kraus-Winkler spoke of a “solid and smart” budget for the tourism sector, which is important for this country. She emphasized that, taking into account the adjustment for Corona funds, the budget would be the same as in 2023. The funding for Austria advertising has already been increased by €6 million in 2022 and 2023. In response to criticism from Julia Seidl (NEOS), Kraus-Winkler, like Elisabeth Götze (Greens), highlighted the sustainability bonus in commercial tourism promotion and numerous funding calls on the topic of sustainability.
Franz Hörl (ÖVP) discussed, among other things, the reintroduction of the Michelin Guide in Austria, which in his view should be financed for the location by Austrian Advertising. Gabriel Obernosterer (ÖVP) emphasized that the Corona aid was money well invested, so that tourism in Austria is now doing well again. Elisabeth Pfurtscheller (ÖVP) highlighted that tourism for Austria, in addition to economic income, also contributes to a high quality of life through leisure activities. Gertraud Salzmann (ÖVP) emphasized that the Tourism Master Plan also places great emphasis on setting accents in the area of sustainability. Tourism acceptance will also continue to be raised, said Bettina Zopf (ÖVP).
Maximilian Linder (FPÖ), on the other hand, criticized the fact that the budget was being increased in all other areas, except tourism. Measures are also needed to simplify business handovers for family businesses. Gerald Hauser (FPÖ) submitted a motion for a resolution calling for the energy cost subsidy or flat rate energy cost allowance to also be made possible for those tourist room or holiday apartment landlords who fall under the income tax regulation of Section 28 EStG. According to criticism, the federal government has “forgotten” these small businesses and private room landlords. Melanie Erasim (SPÖ), for example, misses measures against the “dying of pubs”, the shortage of workers and against illegal work.
Applied research and transformation of the economy
The funds of €263.9 million for applied research carried out by industry are budgeted for 2024, a decrease of €17.8 million compared to 2023. The decline is primarily due to the expiry of additional funds in the life science sector (-€42.1 million). In contrast, an increase of around €30 million is included for application-oriented research projects in the area of digital and sustainable transformation of the economy. The budget for the IPCEI Microelectronics II and IPCEI Hydrogen programs remains unchanged at €29.8 million and €17.3 million, respectively. For IPCEI Microelectronics I, the budgeted payments decrease by €6.1 million to €20.4 million.
Elisabeth Götze (Greens) highlighted gender-specific support for women through coaching or funding as a major focus in research, especially since women’s research potential is not being exploited. From the point of view of Petra Oberrauner (SPÖ), the budget for applied research should be strengthened and not reduced, especially with regard to SMEs. Economics Minister Kocher, like Joachim Schnabel (ÖVP), stated that the budget for this area of the economic department had increased two and a half times since 2019.
The federal financial framework for 2024 to 2027 was also negotiated in the debate. (Continuation of the National Council) mbu
NOTES: Meetings of the National Council and the Federal Council can also be followed via live stream and are available as video-on-demand in the Parliament media library.
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2023-11-22 18:33:03
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