Released 14/05/2025
Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith announced this morning that the ACT Health Directorate is preparing the necessary paperwork to support The Salvation Army to continue delivery of the Burrangiri Aged Care Respite Facility for a further two years.
This announcement complements the Albanese Labor Government’s $10 million election commitment to ensure the number of respite beds in the ACT will not reduce.
Minister Stephen-Smith said the original decision to close the facility was not made lightly and the significant commitment from the Commonwealth Government has enabled new options to be considered in the delivery of respite care in the short and longer term.
Federal Labor has recognised the Commonwealth responsibility for aged care respite, and the ACT Government will continue working with the Commonwealth for the benefit of older Canberrans and their carers.
“It is important to note that while the Burrangiri service can continue in the short term, the Health Directorate’s advice remains that the facility would require a significant scope of work to be fit for purpose for the delivery of quality aged care respite services in the medium term," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“However, the ACT Government recognises the concerns raised by the community around the availability of respite and the value of the Burrangiri service to those who currently rely on it. A two-year extension allows us to work with the Commonwealth on more sustainable solutions for respite in the ACT and best use of the funding available."
Minister Stephen-Smith said she has written to the re-appointed Commonwealth Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP, seeking to work together to deliver appropriate respite for older Canberrans and their carers.
“I was very pleased that Federal Labor committed $10 million for a new facility or to extend an existing facility to deliver aged care respite beds in the ACT," she said.
“I’ve written to Minister Butler asking him to consider Commonwealth co-funding to support the Burrangiri extension, as well as to expedite delivery of the election commitment to ensure dedicated residential respite beds will be available as soon as possible."
The ACT Government is also working with Carers ACT to explore options to identify land for a purpose-built respite centre and the Government has started this important work with Carers ACT.
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases