One Aussie inmate has taken his love of Vegemite all the way to the Supreme Court, arguing that banning the salty spread is denying him his Australian culture. The judge wasn’t buying it.
There’s no shortage of things you can’t do in prison, but apparently, spreading a little Vegemite on your toast is one of them!
A convicted murderer serving a life sentence in Victoria has lost his legal fight to bring the iconic Aussie spread back onto the prison menu.
Andre McKechnie, 54, argued that the ban stopped him from enjoying his culture as an Australian. He even took the matter to the Supreme Court, claiming the rules breached laws requiring prisons to provide food that supports inmates’ health and wellbeing.
Unfortunately for McKechnie, the judge wasn’t convinced, ruling that his cultural rights were limited by the fact he was serving a prison sentence.
So, What’s Wrong With Vegemite?
Victoria’s prison authorities say the problem isn’t the taste. It’s what inmates could potentially do with the stuff!
The thick, salty spread has been banned in Victorian prisons since 2006, with authorities concerned it could be used to disguise contraband, help brew alcohol or interfere with sniffer dogs detecting drugs.
And Victoria isn’t alone. Vegemite is also banned in prisons across Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.
An Aussie Icon Worth Fighting For?
First hitting Australian shelves in 1923, Vegemite has become about as Aussie as a snag on the barbie. But it’s also caused a few international headaches.
Last year, a Canadian cafe owner was told to remove the spread from his shelves over local health regulations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese even weighed in, defending Vegemite while taking a cheeky swipe at its British rival, Marmite.
So, while the rest of us can still enjoy our morning Vegemite toast, it looks like this prisoner’s fight for a salty slice of Australian culture has officially hit a dead end.
