Vegemite
The inmate argues that the ban on Vegemite in prison violates his right to fully enjoy Australian culture.
An inmate sentenced to life in Victoria, Australia, has brought an unusual case for a violation of human rights due to the long-standing ban on Vegemite in the state’s prisons.
Andre McKechnie, 54, who serving a life sentence for a murder committed in 1994, brought action against the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety and the Victorian Prison System. The trial is set for next year, according to recently released court documents.
Vegemite, a thick, salty, yeast-based paste, is loved by many Australians, but has been banned in all 12 of Victoria’s prisons since 2006. In addition to Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory have banned it from their prisons. New South Wales allows its consumption, while Western Australia and the Northern Territory have not publicly clarified their position, says .
Prison authorities claim that the product can make it difficult for dogs to work narcotics sniffers and contains yeast that could be misused to produce alcohol, although the manufacturer insists that the production process kills all active yeast. Inmates have previously tried to mask illicit drugs with Vegemite to avoid detection, which contributed to their inclusion on the banned list.
McKechnie’s case argues that the ban on the supply of Vegemite violates his rights under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, which guarantees individuals the ability to “enjoy your culture”. The inmate also seeks a declaration that the ban violates provisions of the Corrections Act, which require authorities to provide food adequate for his well-being.
McKechnie is currently being held in Port Phillip Prison, Victoria’s maximum security penitentiary. Its legal team did not respond to requests for comment.
