In Austria there will be no compulsory vaccination, but internationally the considerations are clearly in the direction of proof of vaccination. With the 1-2-3 climate ticket, Brunner has no sympathy for “unobjective prevention policy”.
State Secretary Magnus Brunner
State Secretary Magnus Brunner (ÖVP), who is responsible for energy and aviation in the Climate Protection Ministry, expects that the vaccination certificate will have to be carried on many trips in the future due to the coronavirus pandemic. In Austria there will be no compulsory vaccination, Brunner referred to the government's line in an APA interview, but internationally the considerations were clearly in the direction of proof of vaccination. For example, consideration is being given to including the vaccination status in booking systems.
“Basically it is of course a business decision for airlines whether they require proof of vaccination for their passengers,” said Brunner. It is also conceivable that individual countries such as Australia decide to introduce a mandatory vaccination as an entry criterion. “The WHO is also considering including a Covid-19 vaccination in an international vaccination certificate.” Until then, it is necessary to test flight passengers. Vienna Airport is a pioneer here, says Brunner. Many of these questions can only be resolved at EU level.
The Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines, which was rescued with state money in 2020, should manage with the total of 600 million euros added, “if air traffic normalizes again halfway into the summer,” explained Brunner. “At the moment we are assuming that no further additional government aid will be required, but of course it depends on the virological development.”
1-2-3 climate ticket: Austria-wide variant in summer?
With the 1-2-3 climate ticket, which is being promoted by the climate ministry and its head of department Leonore Gewessler (Greens) and which will start this summer with the Austria-wide variant, Brunner does not trust himself to predict when it will be available to buy. “I don't want to be set on a date now.” But he already hoped “in the course of this year,” said Brunner. “I do not think that it will be prevented”, it was an important measure and an important project of the federal government, stressed Brunner. All are required. In addition to attractive tariffs, attractive timetables are needed, also in East Tyrol or in the Waldviertel.
The 1-2-3 public transport ticket is now about making financial agreements. “I have great understanding for the concerns of the federal states and transport associations, who of course want to continue to be there for their customers,” said Brunner, who sees himself here as a “mediator” between the federal states and the Green Minister. Brunner said he also understands that stage 3 can only come when you have a perspective for stages 1 and 2, both financially and in terms of time. The next few weeks are crucial for this, both in terms of the schedule and the financing plan. Just as he understands the “legitimate concerns” of the federal states, “on the other hand, I – or would have – no understanding for an unobjective prevention policy,” Brunner clarified.
EAG: Talks with the opposition are ongoing
Discussions with the opposition parties for the necessary two-thirds majority are currently underway on the Renewable Expansion Law (EAG). “There is a lot of good input from all sides,” said the State Secretary. Brunner sees the EAG as one of the largest energy projects since liberalization in 2000.
From a climate perspective, Brunner is relaxed about the fact that oil prices have fallen sharply as a result of the corona crisis and that gasoline or diesel cars are therefore more tempting again. You have to see the topic in the long term. “Our aim must be that we simply make the alternatives more attractive,” says Brunner, who sees e-car funding as an important instrument. “But we mustn't play technologies off against each other,” said the State Secretary, referring to hydrogen technology. When asked about higher taxes on petrol and diesel, the ÖVP politician referred to the ecological tax reform pacted between the Greens and Turquoise, which would also tax the emission of climate-damaging carbon dioxide (CO2). “There will be some form of CO2 pricing, everyone agrees,” said Brunner. He could not imagine anticipating the low fuel prices.
