A convicted murderer has lost a legal challenge against the ban on Vegemite in Victoria's prisons. Andre McKechnie, held at Barwon Prison, argued the ban breached his human right to enjoy his Australian culture. Supreme Court Justice Claire Harris found that Vegemite may be seen as part of Australian culture, but that McKechnie's cultural rights were limited because he is a prisoner. She ruled the restriction reasonable. Corrections Victoria had argued the spread could be used to make alcohol and could hinder sniffer dogs detecting contraband.
A convicted murderer has lost a Victorian Supreme Court case over a ban on Vegemite in prisons. Andre McKechnie argued that being refused the spread breached his human right to enjoy his culture as an Australian. Justice Claire Harris found the ban was a proportionate measure by prison authorities and dismissed the case. The ban was introduced in Victorian prisons in 2006 over concerns it could interfere with narcotic detection dogs and that its yeast could be used to brew alcohol. McKechnie is serving a life sentence for a 1996 stabbing murder in Queensland.
A convicted killer has lost a legal bid to overturn Victoria's ban on Vegemite in prisons. Andre McKechnie, held at Barwon Prison, argued the ban breached his human right to enjoy Australian culture and was needed for his wellbeing. Supreme Court judge Claire Harris rejected the claim, finding the state's Corrections Act did not require prisons to supply culturally significant foods. She said McKechnie's isolation was more likely caused by imprisonment than by a lack of Vegemite. Corrections Victoria has argued the spread could hamper sniffer dogs and be used to make alcohol.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
A convicted murderer has failed in a Victorian court bid to overturn a prison ban on Vegemite. Andre McKechnie argued that being refused the spread denied him his right to enjoy Australian culture. Justice Claire Harris dismissed the case on Monday, finding the ban was a proportionate measure by authorities. Vegemite has been banned in Victorian prisons since 2006 over concerns it could interfere with drug-detection dogs and be used to brew alcohol. McKechnie is serving a life sentence for a stabbing murder in Queensland.
A convicted murderer has lost his bid to overturn Victoria's ban on Vegemite in prisons. Andre McKechnie sued the Department of Justice and Community Safety and Corrections, arguing the refusal breached his human rights. The Victorian Supreme Court dismissed the case on Monday. Justice Claire Harris found the ban was a proportionate measure by prison authorities. Victorian prisons have banned the spread since 2006, reportedly over concerns about sniffer dogs and its potential use in brewing alcohol.
