Iemma pushes to ban child models

New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma wants to introduce legislation to ban girls under the age of 16 from modelling.

Mr Iemma's push comes after Australian Fashion Week yesterday banned models under 16 because of a backlash against its plans to feature a 14-year-old Polish model on the catwalk.

Mr Iemma says he hopes to introduce legislation into Parliament within two weeks to raise the registration age for model from 15 to 16.

"There's no way that children should be exploited in that way," he said.

"We need to let them grow up without unreasonable pressure being place on them, and they should never ever be portrayed in a sexual way."