Warnings on Vegemite ‘homebrew’

Australia’s indigenous affairs minister has warned of the dangers of using Vegemite to make homebrew, describing it as a “precursor to misery”.

In some remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory where liquor is banned to curb alcohol-related problems, minister Nigel Scullion had heard of the popular spread being used to concoct homebrew liquor, according to reports by the BBC.

“Addiction of any type is a concern but communities, especially where alcohol is banned, must work to ensure home brewing of this type does not occur,” Scullion said in a statement.

“Businesses in these communities also have a responsibility to report any purchase that may raise their own suspicions.”

He added to The Sunday Mail newspaper in Brisbane that the homebrew was a “precursor to misery” and children in some communities had missed school as they were too hungover from all-night benders.

The Mail said Vegemite was being made into alcohol in large quantities such as in bathtubs in backyards.

Other sources of homebrew liquor have included mouthwash and vanilla extract, the spokeswoman added.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott also ruled out a ban of the spread, saying that the last thing he wanted was to have a “Vegemite watch”, the Australian Associated Press reported.

“Vegemite, quite properly, is for most people a reasonably nutritious spread on your morning toast or on your sandwiches,” he said.