The National Council voted unanimously to expand the defense cost contribution in criminal proceedings. According to Parliament, the maximum flat-rate rates for calculating the defense cost contribution for lay judges and jury trials are to be tripled or sextupled in the future. In the event of an acquittal, the maximum flat-rate rates would therefore be raised to €30,000. In addition, a claim for compensation of a maximum of €6,000 is to be introduced if an investigation is discontinued. This option does not currently exist under current law (source: www.parlament.gv.at).
Another focus of the topics discussed was the implementation of a directive to introduce a new option for collective action for damages. Consumer protection institutions can therefore sue companies for redress, such as damages, in the collective interest of at least 50 consumers. In addition, another legal remedy is being created for collective action for injunctive relief (source: www.parlament.gv.at).
The parliamentary groups also agreed on the introduction of podcast funding and the increase in funding for private TV and radio stations as well as for non-commercial broadcasting. The amendment to the Komm-Austria Act was passed unanimously. A total of €500,000 in funding is to be made available annually for regularly published podcasts. In addition, the private broadcasting fund will be increased by €5 million to €25 million and the fund for the promotion of non-commercial broadcasting will be increased from €5 million to €6.25 million (source: www.parlament.gv.at).
Furthermore, the ban on double funding for journalism funding was removed. This was done through an amendment to the Journalism Funding Act, which was requested by the coalition. Previously, small newspapers and magazines that received money from another local authority were excluded from journalism funding (source: www.parlament.gv.at).
A federal-state agreement was also approved with regard to basic care for refugees. The maximum cost rates for vulnerable foreigners in need of help and protection were increased (source: www.parlament.gv.at).
Other topics discussed in the National Council were legal simplifications for the construction of balcony and terrace power plants, adjustments to the Professional Code Amendment Act 2024 for notaries and lawyers, the modernization of cooperative law, tax transparency for multinational companies, the closing of a funding gap at Statistics Austria and the debate on three referendums (source: www.parlament.gv.at).
All of these topics were discussed in detail in the National Council and the corresponding resolutions were passed unanimously. Strengthening the economy and prosperity as well as European issues, asylum and juvenile delinquency were central topics of a question and answer session with Federal Chancellor Nehammer (source: www.parlament.gv.at).
In a debate on the rules of procedure, the motion to hold permanent meetings of the Incompatibility Committee was also adopted. This committee will investigate, among other things, possible violations of reporting and transparency obligations (source: www.parlament.gv.at).
Further innovations and topics of discussion are to be expected in the coming years. Among other things, there could be adjustments in the areas of health policy, tax policy and education policy. It remains to be seen how these developments will affect society.
Source: die-nachrichten.at
