Australian war widows call for pension review, as costs rise

Thousands of Australian war widows are being forced to go to extreme lengths to get by from working three jobs to going to bed early just to keep warm.

Exclusive: Their husbands died after serving their country, but the 43,000 Australian war widows left behind say they are now facing their own battles.

Young widow Queen Dunbar, 45, was forced to work three jobs after her husband Adam, 43, took his life four years ago.

He had served in the army for 17 years and had post traumatic stress disorder following tours in the Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ms Dunbar said the war widow’s pension – which is currently $1004.70 tax free a fortnight – does not even cover the mortgage on her Sydney home.

And, with three teenagers in the house, she has a lot of expenses.

She said her husband would be “upset” if he knew his family was struggling to pay for basics like food, heating and fuel.

War widow Queen Dunbar pictured at home in Woronora today With son Joshua. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I had to take three jobs for 18 months, until I burnt out and had to drop one of the jobs,” Ms Dunbar said.

She is now working as a casual high school English teacher and as a flight attendant on the weekends. For a while she was also a disability carer.

“Trying to make ends meet, it’s been hard,” Ms Dunbar said.

“I got rid of all the heaters in the bedrooms because they used up too much energy.

“I’ve replaced them all with double doonas on the bed and we wear two pairs of socks instead of one.”

Adam Dunbar as a young soldier.

Mr Dunbar later on in his military career.

Meg Green, 72, lost her husband when he was aged 60, to a cancer linked to Agent Orange, which he was exposed to during the Vietnam War.

“He was a regular, he joined because he thought he was doing the right thing,” she said.

Ms Green said after the army her husband Gordon went on to serve in the police force for 30 years.

She gave up her job as a registered aged care nurse to care for him when he was dying of cancer, but went back to work after he died to help pay the bills.

She’s now retired and living off the pension and a little bit of Super.

Meg Green, who is a war widow in her 70s and is struggling to pay the power bills and other cost of living increases. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“I do occasionally go to bed early because it is warm in bed,” Ms Green said.

“I’m buying less in the supermarket. I’m having to think about every single cent that I spend. It’s not something I’m necessarily used to, but I need to make ends meet.”

Ms Green said her husband would be “shocked” at her situation.

Australian War Widows NSW chairwoman Jennifer Collins said she was speaking on behalf of all Australian war widows when calling for an increase in the pension.

“When do we as a country value service and sacrifice? Is it only on Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and Victory in Pacific Day?,” Ms Collins said.

Ms Collins also said widows needed better access to mental health services for children of veterans, as their Veteran Gold Card, which offers a range of free health care, is not always accepted.

Gordon Green, serving in the Australian Army in Vietnam during 1970/71. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Meg Green with her husband Gordon at their son’s wedding in 2000. Picture: Tim Hunter.

She added women caring for their husbands when they’re sick should get support from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs who understand their needs rather than making them access services through Centrelink.

A spokesman from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs said the War Widow(er) Pension is increased every March and September in line with changes in the Consumer Price Index, Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index and indexed to Male Total Average Weekly Earnings.

He said families can also access free mental health care for life, through Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, as well as other funded services and supports, including help around the home, care and respite services, medications at a cheaper concession rate, travel for medical appointments, as well as medical aids and appliances, and home modifications.

Originally published as Australian war widows call for pension review, as costs rise