Overview
- Andre McKechnie, a 54-year-old convicted murderer, has filed a lawsuit against the State of Victoria seeking access to Vegemite while incarcerated.
- He argues that eating Vegemite forms part of his Australian culture and is protected under the Victorian human-rights declaration.
- Vegemite has been prohibited in Victoria prisons since 2006 over fears it could be fermented into alcohol and used to interfere with detection by sniffer dogs.
- The case is slated to be heard next year, and no ruling or policy change has been reported.
- Prison policies differ across Australia, with bans reported in Queensland and South Australia and permission in New South Wales.