Plain Language in NSW, Oz
New South Wales, Australia Premier Nathan Rees announces plain language reforms
In an interview recently he said: "I want plain English to become an essential part of how the public sector does its business, every bit as essential as a financial impact statement."
His statement at the opening of the PLAIN Conference in Sydney October 16th included three points that he plans to implement:
- Issuing a Premier’s Memorandum to the entire NSW public sector directing all agencies to adopt plain English in their communications
- From 2010, including a special category for “Best Use of plain English” in the Public Sector Awards
- And a plain English audit of the entire public sector, including random checks by focus groups for clarity and comprehension in documents