Australian murderer loses bid to eat Vegemite in prison

A convicted murderer serving a life sentence in Australia has lost his bid to overturn a ban on prisoners consuming Vegemite - the salty yeast-based spread that has become a national symbol.

Andre McKechnie argued that the ban, in place since 2006, denied him the right to "enjoy his culture as an Australian".

Authorities in the state of Victoria say inmates may use the strong-smelling paste to disguise contraband substances or to brew alcohol behind bars.

And on Monday, a Supreme Court judge rejected McKechnie's appeal, saying the prisoner's "cultural rights are limited primarily by the fact he has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment".

McKechnie was handed a life sentence for stabbing a property developer to death in Queensland in the 1990s. He served part of his sentence in Queensland before being transferred to Victoria.

During the hearing, the court heard evidence from Corrections Victoria that the smell of vegemite can distract sniffer dogs trying to detect drugs being brought into prison.

The product is also banned in jails in Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.

A much-loved breakfast spread for some, Vegemite has acquired controversial accolades since it first hit shop shelves in Australia in 1923.

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