Australian convicted murderer loses court battle over legal right to Vegemite in prison
Culture and prison restrictions
McKechnie represented himself in court and said Vegemite was part of his earliest memories and closely connected to his family home. He argued that being unable to eat it kept him from practising Australian culture.
Judge Claire Harris acknowledged the spread’s place in Australian culture in a 50-page judgment released on Monday. She concluded that the cultural connection did not make the prison restriction unlawful.
Food rules and security concerns
The court also rejected McKechnie’s claim that the ban breached rules requiring prisons to supply food adequate for inmates’ health and wellbeing. Harris said that duty did not require prisons to provide foods of cultural significance to improve wellbeing.
Kevin White, a Corrections Victoria manager, told the court that Vegemite’s smell could interfere with detection dogs. Authorities have also said the spread could be used to make alcohol in prison.
A long-standing Victorian ban
Vegemite has been prohibited in Victorian prisons since around 2006. The dark, thick spread is made from leftover brewer’s yeast extract and is commonly eaten on buttered toast.
Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania also ban it in prisons, while New South Wales permits it in correctional centres. The product was first made in Melbourne in 1923 as an alternative to Britain’s Marmite.
Key points
- Andre McKechnie lost his challenge to access Vegemite in prison.
- Judge Claire Harris recognised the spread’s cultural significance but upheld the restriction.
- Victorian authorities cite detection dogs and possible alcohol production as concerns.
- New South Wales allows Vegemite in correctional centres, unlike several other states.