Updated 13m ago · Crime
Judge Rejects Murderer's Bid to Eat Vegemite in Prison
A Victorian Supreme Court judge on Monday rejected inmate Andre McKechnie's bid to overturn the state's prison ban on Vegemite.
- 2006 is when Victoria banned the yeast spread in its prisons.
- Corrections Victoria said the smell can distract drug-detection dogs.
- Officials also said inmates could use it to brew alcohol.
- 54-year-old McKechnie is serving life for a 1990s Queensland murder.
Why it matters: Justice Claire Harris said Vegemite might be part of Australian culture and the charter might cover certain foods. She found the ban a proportionate security measure.
- She found no breach of the duty to provide adequate food.
- Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania also ban the spread in prisons.
How 10 sources split on this story
Source landscape
Factuality
High
Mixed
Low
Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean
10 sources · 11 articles · 50% Center coverage
Center coverage, 5 sources: The center frames it as a convicted murderer losing a bid to restore a national food symbol in prison.
BBC News10hAustralian murderer loses bid to eat Vegemite in prisonCTV News2hAustralian judge rejects prisoner’s human rights challenge to Vegemite banNPR21mAustralian judge rejects prisoner's human rights challenge to Vegemite banThe Hill3hAustralian judge rejects prisoner’s human rights challenge to Vegemite banWPXI Pittsburgh3hAustralian judge rejects prisoner’s human rights challenge to Vegemite ban
Left coverage, 3 sources: The left frames the case around the human rights charter, with the court finding no right to Vegemite behind bars.
Right2 sources
What’s next: The Victorian ban stays in place; New South Wales still allows the spread in its prisons.
- Whether McKechnie will appeal the Supreme Court decision.
View all