A coalition of ACT politicians and community advocates has accused the federal Labor government of breaking its election promise to deliver more respite beds in Canberra, after announcing a $10 million upgrade of Burrangiri that will not increase the facility’s capacity.

The federal government says the funding will address work health and safety issues at the aged care respite centre, with construction starting in the second half of 2027 and finishing in 2028.

However, Independent Senator David Pocock says the Commonwealth’s 2025 election commitment was to fund either a new respite facility or an expansion of an existing one.

A GHD report identifies about $2.7 million in fire safety works and a further $7.4 million in refurbishment and maintenance, with no additional beds proposed.

The coalition is urging both governments to consider an alternative proposal from local aged care provider Goodwin, which would convert existing administration space into 18 high-care respite rooms, potentially providing 6570 additional respite bed nights annually.

“We were promised more respite beds. It is so frustrating when there is a proposal from an aged care provider that would have allowed safety upgrades to Burrangiri and 18 more respite beds within the funding envelope,” Pocock says.

Independent MLA Fiona Carrick says maintaining Burrangiri’s existing 15 beds is important, but the funding should also increase respite capacity.

“Keeping Burrangiri open is important and the fire safety works should proceed. But spending the entire $10 million maintaining the 15 beds we already have, while closing the facility for 12 months, is not what carers were promised,” she says.

Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton, Greens MLA Rebecca Vassarotti, independent MLA Tom Emerson and Liberal MLA Leanne Castley have also questioned the decision to spend the funding without creating additional beds.

The federal government says the $10 million will be provided to the ACT government through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program and that it is working with providers to maintain overnight and day respite services during Burrangiri’s temporary closure.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing will seek expressions of interest from providers to deliver replacement respite services from July 2027, with applications expected to open in late October.

The Commonwealth also says it will continue exploring longer-term respite options, including Goodwin’s proposal, to meet growing demand.

The Save Burrangiri Action Group is calling for the release of the needs analysis, business cases and options assessments behind the decision, and wants the Commonwealth’s funding commitment to deliver additional respite capacity.

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