Tattoo Industry

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (18 October 2016).

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety): I am advised:

1. No extra resourcing has been provided to South Australia Police (SAPOL).

2. The applications made to the Commissioner of Consumer and Business Services (CBS) are to assign the applicant a reference number for the purpose of ongoing communication. This is not for the purpose of a licence to operate or an approval from the commissioner to operate.

The negative licencing scheme provides for businesses or persons providing tattoo services to operate unless they are automatically and permanently disqualified from trading or until such time as they are served with a disqualification notice by SAPOL on behalf of CBS.

3. Where the Commissioner of CBS is intending to disqualify a person from providing tattoo services, they will be notified by CBS and provided an opportunity to show cause as to why they should not be disqualified.

If a person is currently providing tattoo services (or intends to) and has not been contacted by the Commissioner of CBS they may continue to operate lawfully.

4. Any person may make a complaint to their local member of parliament, the Police Ombudsman or the Office for Public Integrity. Complaints may also be made directly to SAPOL and should be in writing wherever possible.