Underage ‘intimate’ piercing will also be outlawed in new laws to be introduced by the NSW Government and operators who do perform intimate piercing on a child can face fines up to $22,000.

For any other piercing done without a parent’s consent, the fine could be as high as $3000.

Professional body modification artist at Outta Limits, Bret Keizer (Mr Pink) said there are many reason for their decision to turn away underage persons who want either tattoos or piercings.

“The main reason we turn away underagers from piercings is because their bodies are still growing,” Mr Keizer said.

“We have had people who have had their belly-buttons pierced and they have fallen pregnant and they have literally ripped out,” he said.

Mr Kiezer said that developing bodies could also reject the jewellery.

Outta Limits turns down many underage customers.

“It is not the best environment for someone underage to be in and usually when one school kid gets it done, 20 want the same thing,” Mr Keizer said.

Minister for community services, Kevin Greene said there are also concerns over hepatitis B and C, toxic shock and blood poisoning, which have prompted the tough parliamentary response and Mr Greene said intimate piercings clearly raised child protection issues.

“I can’t see any reason why a child under the age of 16 would need to expose their intimate body parts to strange adults for the sake of fashion or trend,” Mr Greene said.

Cabinet has signed off the regulations and legislation is now being prepared and will be brought to parliament shortly.

anna.yeo@ruralpress.co m