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

The ABC interview is reported here:
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2009/s2716096.htm