ÖVP wants to scrap your ORF contribution and fund it from the state budget
The ÖVP presented a position paper on ORF reform on Tuesday. In it, the party considers funding the ORF from the state budget in the future and abolishing the ORF contribution. This would be a U-turn three years after the switch to the household levy, which has been payable by almost all households ever since.
As an alternative, the concept proposes adjusting the household levy to a more narrowly defined public service mandate. This would amount to a reduction of the contribution rather than its abolition. The paper does not specify which of the two variants the party is actually pursuing. A new supervisory and management structure for the ORF is also planned.
For you as a contributor, this concerns a levy that is currently due regardless of whether you use ORF services. If the contribution were abolished, this payment would be eliminated; if the mandate were reduced instead, the amount would decrease. For context: The Republic has just cut a federal subsidy of 90 million euros from the budget for the ORF, so the broadcaster's financing is under pressure anyway.
None of this has been decided. It is a proposal from a governing party, and the media ministry of Andreas Babler is opposed to abolishing the contribution. Any change would therefore first have to be negotiated within the coalition. For the time being, nothing changes for you: the ORF contribution remains due, and payment reminders will continue as usual. Those who earn little or receive social benefits can apply for an exemption from the household levy regardless of this reform debate. The application is processed by the responsible contribution service center and should not be postponed until the outcome of the debate.