As reported, the Youth Protection Act must be amended. The responsible state councilor Birgit Gerstorfer (SP) plans, among other things, to align the going-out times with the regulations of the other federal states, i.e. go out until 11 p.m. up to the age of 14 and until 1 a.m. up to the age of 16. Support comes from the Young People’s Party and the green youth spokeswoman in the Upper Austrian state parliament, Anne-Sophie Bauer. “What works in eight federal states must also work in Upper Austria,” says Bauer, who speaks of an embarrassment that the black-blue coalition prevented nationwide standardization five years ago. In the rest of Austria, young people and their parents have been trusted for years to deal sensibly with the maximum times they go out.
Haimbuchner sees “wrong signal”
The FPÖ sees it very differently. “As a family advisor and family man, I reject an extension of the going-out times. Such a regulation would send the wrong political signal to concerned parents,” says Deputy Governor Manfred Haimbuchner, citing reduced street lighting to save energy as well as a “significant security risk” as arguments. against the background of the “migration wave”. He sees the Upper Austrian model as a model, according to which young people under the age of 14 are allowed to go out until 10 p.m. and under 16 only until midnight. Upper Austria should not adopt the rules of the other federal states, but rather the Upper Austrian model.
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“Blue Retro Breeze”
Green youth spokeswoman Anne-Sophie Bauer, on the other hand, countered with positive statements from the child and youth ombudsman’s office, the federal youth representation and the ÖVP youth and spoke of a “musty, blue retro breeze”. “The embarrassment surrounding the amendment to the Youth Protection Act five years ago threatens to repeat itself,” says Bauer. She sees “harassment” for young people in the state, and a “grotesque” situation is developing, especially in regions close to the border. It will now be up to the ÖVP to “get their government partner out of their ideological stronghold and move towards the present”.
Neos criticize the “blockade” of the FPÖ
Similarly, the Neos: They criticize the “blockade” of the FPÖ. Upper Austria is lagging behind and is unnecessarily restricting young people. “For us, there is absolutely no objective reason why 14-year-olds in Upper Austria should be home earlier than all other young people in the rest of Austria,” said club chairman Felix Eypeltauer. He called on the ÖVP to “stop putting the coalition peace” above the wishes of young people.
ÖVP is silent
The ÖVP, whose position is likely to be decisive, has not yet committed itself, citing ongoing talks. “I am optimistic that there will soon be a good solution that protects children and young people from danger and at the same time gives them the greatest possible freedom,” club chairman Christian Dörfel remained vague.
Participation process announced
In any case, even before the current dispute, Gerstorfer announced a broad participation process. For example, young people were asked about the Youth Protection Act at the job information fair in Wels. In addition, one wants to involve regional youth advisors, schoolchildren through information workshops and parents by means of questionnaires or online surveys. The state youth advisory board should also have a say in spring 2023.
Source: Nachrichten
