Senator David Pocock speaks at a rally for Burrangiri respite aged care centre in Rivett, backed by ACT Independent MLA Fiona Carrick. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
ACT Independent Senator David Pocock has thrown his weight behind saving the Burrangiri respite aged care centre in Rivett. He called on the Commonwealth to fund it after the ACT Government announced its doors will close at the end of June.
Senator Pocock and ACT Independent MLA Fiona Carrick addressed the media at Burrangiri today (8 April), backed by the centre’s supporters who have been campaigning to keep the Salvation Army-run facility open since Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith’s announcement in February.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the facility is no longer fit for purpose and requires a major refurbishment, which is contested by those who use it.
It also costs $1.7 million a year to run, and Ms Stephen-Smith believes the Commonwealth should fund it, given that aged care is a Commonwealth responsibility.
She has defied a Legislative Assembly resolution from a motion by Ms Carrick to keep Burrangiri open until an alternative can be found for the 15 respite beds it offers, 60 per cent of the total respite beds in the ACT.
Burrangiri supporters say its loss would leave a critical gap in respite services despite growing demand.
Senator Pocock said if Labor could find $1.6 million for a shade sail at a bowling club in a marginal seat, why can’t it find the $1.7 million to keep Burrangiri running?
“So we’ve got both major parties running around the country, handing out money in marginal seats, and on a needs basis, a facility that provides over half of our respite beds can’t get $1.7 million to stay open,” he said.
“So I’m challenging the Labor representatives, where’s your voice on this? This matters to our community.
“You can’t go missing in action on something like this, and to the Liberals, take a bit of time out of Canberra bashing and actually do something for our community, commit to $1.7 million should you win government, to keep Burrangiri open.”
Senator Pocock said it made no sense to close something that actually took pressure off the hospital system.
He said that despite Ms Stephen-Smith saying the facility was not up to scratch, it was only last year that the government invested in upgrades.
“Seems to be meeting the need at the moment and talking to staff, people seem incredibly happy with the service, not a lot of complaints about the facilities,” Senator Pocock said.
“Sure, in the next decade or so, I’m sure there’ll be a need for an upgrade or a new facility, and that should be the plan, not shutting something with no plan.”
Senator Pocock said $1.7 million was a tiny amount of money in the scheme of the Commonwealth health budget.
Convener of the Save Burrangiri Action Group Dr Peter Lyons and 101-year-old Joan Plunkett at the Burrangiri protest in Rivett.
Ms Carrick said Burrangiri was an invaluable service to the community and urged the two levels of government to discuss how to keep Burrangiri open.
She said people loved it and the facilities were in great condition, but raised the prospect that the government might have other plans for it.
“Options are always on the table, and I think the conversations could solve the problem about funding if the building is still available to be a respite centre, if the government doesn’t have alternatives in mind for it, then there are always opportunities to discuss it and find a new funding source,” she said.
Convener of the Save Burrangiri Action Group Dr Peter Lyons, whose wife has dementia, said closing the facility was a case of false economy.
“It’s a misplaced priority because the alleged savings are illusory, largely because if places like Burrangiri close, then that puts even more pressure on Canberra’s public hospitals,” he said.
“People will be forced to stay in hospital longer and longer, waiting for some sort of respite option, which is completely unacceptable.”
Dr Lyons said carers bore an enormous burden and they did it with love, but respite was a vital element of caring for a person, especially people with dementia.
If Burrangiri closed, “it just tightens the screws on carers, worsening their mental health and making life difficult generally for both the carers and the people they’re caring for”.
Joan Plunkett, aged 101, said respite care was essential for her 80-year-old daughter to get a break from caring for her.
She first came to know Burrangiri when her late husband was suffering from Parkinson’s disease and stayed there from time to time before moving to Mirinjani in Weston.
Mrs Plunkett praised the staff, saying there was such need for their services.
“The staff have an extraordinary capacity to love everyone,” she said. “It’s a great place to be, and it’d be awful if it closes down, and all those staff who are so dedicated get shoved out.”
Without Burrangiri, she did not know what would happen to her or her daughter.
“Well, where will I go when I wear my daughter out?” she said.
“I’d like to be able to think that I could come here for a week or two while she recovers and I have a break.”
A petition launched by Dr Lyons has gathered more than 600 signatures online and 400 on paper. Ms Carrick will table the petition in the Assembly on Thursday.
ACT Opposition Leader Leanne Castley said the situation at Burrungirri should never have been allowed to get to this point.
“This is a valued community service that is desperately needed,” she said.
“It is, unfortunately, another example of the consequences of financial mismanagement by ACT Labor: if they hadn’t blown their health budget, they would be able to afford to keep Burrangiri open.”
