SYDNEY, Aug 1 (Xinhua) -- Due to an influx of complaints and botched procedures, the cosmetic surgery industry in the Australian State of New South Wales (NSW) has come under heavy scrutiny.
Although many clinics in Australia are known to have a strong reputation for safety, the ever-increasing pursuit of beauty is seeing many opt for less professional, low-budget alternatives.
To address the matter, a NSW joint-party parliamentary committee will hold a meeting in Sydney on Wednesday, to discuss a range of law changes which could be implemented to fix the growing problem.
According to NSW State opposition spokesperson Walt Secord, one of the biggest issues is that weak regulations have given practitioners free rein to call themselves as "surgeons".
"There are still cowboys in the cosmetic surgery sector and there is still a significant loophole for them to operate under," he told the Australian Associated Press on Wednesday.
"It only makes sense that if someone calls themselves a cosmetic surgeon, then they are a surgeon with the extra seven years training required to call themselves a surgeon."
Another rising complaints is cosmetic procedures that are being performed on residential premises and hotel rooms in Sydney.
From 2012-13 to 2016-17, the total number of major grievances filed to the Health Care Complaints Commission has more than tripled, from 30 to 94.
