Australian murderer loses human rights bid to eat Vegemite in prison after claiming the ban denied him his culture
Andre McKechnie, 54, whose case was dismissed on Monday, argued that Victoria's Supreme Court should overturn the ban because going without Vegemite left him "sad and disconnected" from his culture.
Justice Claire Harris ruled it was his imprisonment, not the missing spread, that left Andre McKechnie 'sad and disconnected' from his family. The lifer, convicted of stabbing property developer Otto Kuhne to death in Queensland in the 1990s, represented himself from Barwon Prison. Victoria has barred Vegemite from its jails since about 2006. Officials say it can throw off sniffer dogs and help inmates brew alcohol.
McKechnie called Vegemite 'an integral part of the practice of my Australian culture'.
He argued that neighbouring New South Wales does not ban the spread in its prisons.
McKechnie, who is Jewish, already receives a hot Kosher dinner and a weekly Kosher food box.
