Bill Crews lobbies for implant victims

Christian minister and youth advocate Reverend Bill Crews has thrown his weight behind the victims of faulty breast implants.

Between 300,000 and 400,000 women in 65 countries are believed to have implants made with substandard silicon gel by the French company Poly Implant Protheses (PIP).

However, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has recommended against routine removal of the implants on the basis that there is no evidence of an increased rupture rate.

The Reverend Crews on Wednesday called for a federal parliamentary inquiry into the TGA's handling of the issue.

He said he was lobbying for affected women as a matter of social justice.

"Despite countries like Britain, France and even Saudi Arabia recommending their citizens have the implants removed, our TGA continues to maintain that they are safe to remain in patients," he said in a statement.

"This is a scandal which places the lives of Australian women at risk".

The federal government should pay for the removal and replacement of PIP breast implants, Mr Crews said.

Senator Nick Xenophon is expected move a motion on Wednesday for an inquiry into the TGA's handling of this issue.