The Canberra Liberals have said the impending closure of the Elouera Respite House has created significant distress for affected families and more uncertainty about the ACT government's role after next year's shift to the national disability insurance scheme.
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Opposition disability spokesman Andrew Wall said the shutting of the six-bed centre in north Canberra in November also increased doubt about what other government services would close before the July 1 change.
"It's not good enough to simply shut services with little or no notice," he said.
"Joy Burch needs to explain to the disability sector and the wider community what role the ACT government will have in service provision after the NDIS commences … next year.
"There is still far too much uncertainty for people with a disability, their carers and their families as to what will happen."
The government announced the closure earlier this month and said it would be shifting management of its other respite centres - Kese House, Teen House and Hughes House - to the non-government sector from March.
Ms Burch, the Minister for Children and Young People, Disability, said Elouera House would be closed due to a steady decline in usage in the territory's respite houses.
"The ACT is moving to an environment of greater control and choice as a launch site of DisabilityCare commencing in July 2014, where people with disability will decide what type of support will best suit their needs and directly engage with the support provider of their choice," she said.
''While the government recognises the importance of respite and respite-like support, there has been a steady decrease in demand for out-of-home care for adults with disabilities … and it is expected this trend will continue.''
A spokesman for Ms Burch this week said the government was confident all Elouera clients could be accommodated at the other six-bed adult respite service in Hughes, and every reasonable effort would be made to support families individually.
