There’s no human right to Vegemite, court tells Australian prisoner who wanted ban overturned
An Australian court has rejected a prisoner's claim that the ban on Vegemite in Victorian prisons violates his human rights. The court ruled that the prohibition is a proportionate measure due to concerns that the spread interferes with narcotic detection dogs.
Why it matters
The case explores the intersection of cultural identity, prisoner rights, and institutional security protocols.
Prisoner Andre McKechnie had sued Victoria’s corrections department after he was refused Vegemite in prison. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP Prisoner Andre McKechnie had sued Victoria’s corrections department after he was refused Vegemite in prison. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP Prisons There’s no human right to Vegemite, court tells Australian prisoner who wanted ban overturned Prohibition of salty, yeast-based condiment in Victoria’s prisons remains after convicted murderer claimed it denied him right to ‘enjoy his culture’
Prefer the Guardian on Google A murderer who claimed a refusal to allow him Vegemite in prison is a breach of his human rights as an Australian has failed to overturn the ban on the polarising spread.
Andre McKechnie sued Victoria’s corrections department after he was refused the salty, yeast-based condiment in prison.
McKechnie claimed the refusal denied him his human right to “enjoy his culture” as an Australian.
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