Thank you for highlighting this. Repealing the Plain Language Act will have negative consequences for the dementia community. It appears to be yet another example of ideology—this time the pursuit of ‘small government’—being prioritised over the real needs of many in our communities.
While public servants and their agencies should already be using plain and accessible language, the Plain Language Act 2022 provided more than just the appointment of Plain Language Officers. It supported a broader vision of an accessible Aotearoa New Zealand.
When reading the Hansard record of the first reading of the repeal bill, I was astounded by the lack of recognition from government MPs of the very real need that the original legislation was designed to address.
Thanks Dr. Dex, I am spaming facebook, bluesky & discord as we speak.
This gov. really hates their citizens.
When I saw James Meager speak during the TPB 2nd/final reading, he mentioned how "some" have commented about how making a public submission is "too easy". As soon as he said that I thought... uhh ohhh!
I've also heard that the gov. wants to get rid of the ability to register to vote on election day. I can't help but think that this latest thing, is part of a broader strategy in making participation in democracy more inconvenient/difficult.
It is a flat out attempt to disenfranchise citizens.
I worked for many years in adult education in particular adults with gaps in their reading and writing skills. Adult literacy and numeracy was the specific area of work and it’s so important that all written material is made accessible to these otherwise high functioning adult learners and workers. Plain language is imperative, easy and inclusive. This latest assault on the population is a violation of human rights.
Thanks for the heads up. I will be sending a submission
😁 What an activated public these numpties are creating with their weird obsessions over making life as difficult as possible for ordinary folks (& I include those who NEED "plain language" to be implemented for any reason including high functioning everyday folks who also find it hard to understand the wording of "official" documents 🤷)
Thank you for highlighting this repeal. It also affects people with English as a second language, and those with low literacy skills (e.g. many people in our prisons). It is appalling, and unnecessary. I will put in a submission.
I have requested information from Judith Collins regarding this bill.
Kia ora Minister
I am seeking to understand the rationale behind the Repeal of the Plain Language Act Bill. As the Minister driving this Bill, I am hoping you can provide some information for me.
Do feel free to pass this on to a more appropriate office if need be.
Can you please advise regarding the following:
- What was the cost of implementing the Plain Language Act in the last financial year?
- How many Plain Language Officers have this as their sole job description?
- What was the cost in the last financial year for salaries and any associated allowances for Plain Language Officers who have this as their sole job description?
- How many Plain Language Officers are there that have this role as part of an existing role that they already perform?
- What specific costs have been incurred over the last financial year that can be specifically attributed to Plain Language Officers roles? For example, do they receive a specific allowance for holding this role?
- What is the estimated cost budgeted for progressing this Bill to final reading and into legislation?
Rural Youth and Adult Literacy Trust have made a submission as well for the people that we work with every day-those who struggle with reading and writing. Our learners depend on plain language to understand their rights, apply for services and participate fully in society.
Repealing the Act would further marginalize the 26% of NZ adults that struggle with literacy. What works for low literacy and disabled people also works for those who are fluent readers and communicators.
I used to work with transport accessibility policy. I understand how incredibly important it is for the disability community to have access to policy consultation documents they can understand.
I ended up having to write the plain language version of the policy options we were going out for consultation for, because People First (?) were inundated with work.
We didnt have a plain language person at the department - it fell to advisors with no idea how to do it, to do it.
I assume some managers complained about it - I know my manager did. If was extremely difficult transport terminology that I had to translate into accessible language.
We need to make submissions. I definitely will be. But, going forwards, there needs to be more funding for People First to do this very important work. They said I did a good job, btw! 👍
This is appalling. I hope anyone with a disability or caring for a disability, and voted NACT1st, finally realise this government does NOT care about them (thinking older voters.....). 25% of the country has a disability - if you are eligible to vote, please explain WHY you would vote AGAINST your own interests and those like you?? It does not make sense.
It is impossible to have plain language and include te reo maori in documents.
That is why they are getting rid of the requirement to write in plain language.
We are stepping back to a time, pre-plain-language, when there was a language of the elite. Knowing the elite language was a marker of your status and kept the 'peasantry' out of important affairs.
To fight for plain language will be to fight against the movement towards te reo maori being the elite language of government.
Thank you for highlighting this. Repealing the Plain Language Act will have negative consequences for the dementia community. It appears to be yet another example of ideology—this time the pursuit of ‘small government’—being prioritised over the real needs of many in our communities.
While public servants and their agencies should already be using plain and accessible language, the Plain Language Act 2022 provided more than just the appointment of Plain Language Officers. It supported a broader vision of an accessible Aotearoa New Zealand.
When reading the Hansard record of the first reading of the repeal bill, I was astounded by the lack of recognition from government MPs of the very real need that the original legislation was designed to address.
I've made a short submission for Carers NZ. Thanks Rebekah!
Oh brilliant! Nice work 😊
Thanks Dr. Dex, I am spaming facebook, bluesky & discord as we speak.
This gov. really hates their citizens.
When I saw James Meager speak during the TPB 2nd/final reading, he mentioned how "some" have commented about how making a public submission is "too easy". As soon as he said that I thought... uhh ohhh!
I've also heard that the gov. wants to get rid of the ability to register to vote on election day. I can't help but think that this latest thing, is part of a broader strategy in making participation in democracy more inconvenient/difficult.
It is a flat out attempt to disenfranchise citizens.
I worked for many years in adult education in particular adults with gaps in their reading and writing skills. Adult literacy and numeracy was the specific area of work and it’s so important that all written material is made accessible to these otherwise high functioning adult learners and workers. Plain language is imperative, easy and inclusive. This latest assault on the population is a violation of human rights.
Thanks for the heads up. I will be sending a submission
😁 What an activated public these numpties are creating with their weird obsessions over making life as difficult as possible for ordinary folks (& I include those who NEED "plain language" to be implemented for any reason including high functioning everyday folks who also find it hard to understand the wording of "official" documents 🤷)
Flagged to add to my "submissions" portfolio 💪
Thank you for highlighting this repeal. It also affects people with English as a second language, and those with low literacy skills (e.g. many people in our prisons). It is appalling, and unnecessary. I will put in a submission.
Oh yes, really good points
I have requested information from Judith Collins regarding this bill.
Kia ora Minister
I am seeking to understand the rationale behind the Repeal of the Plain Language Act Bill. As the Minister driving this Bill, I am hoping you can provide some information for me.
Do feel free to pass this on to a more appropriate office if need be.
Can you please advise regarding the following:
- What was the cost of implementing the Plain Language Act in the last financial year?
- How many Plain Language Officers have this as their sole job description?
- What was the cost in the last financial year for salaries and any associated allowances for Plain Language Officers who have this as their sole job description?
- How many Plain Language Officers are there that have this role as part of an existing role that they already perform?
- What specific costs have been incurred over the last financial year that can be specifically attributed to Plain Language Officers roles? For example, do they receive a specific allowance for holding this role?
- What is the estimated cost budgeted for progressing this Bill to final reading and into legislation?
I appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Thanks, submission made.
Wonderful!
Thank you for highlighting this repeal.
Rural Youth and Adult Literacy Trust have made a submission as well for the people that we work with every day-those who struggle with reading and writing. Our learners depend on plain language to understand their rights, apply for services and participate fully in society.
Repealing the Act would further marginalize the 26% of NZ adults that struggle with literacy. What works for low literacy and disabled people also works for those who are fluent readers and communicators.
100%! Thank you for your advocacy work in this space and for making a submission also.
I really did not understand this. Unlike my ability to now understand many other things since we all started using plain language
I used to work with transport accessibility policy. I understand how incredibly important it is for the disability community to have access to policy consultation documents they can understand.
I ended up having to write the plain language version of the policy options we were going out for consultation for, because People First (?) were inundated with work.
We didnt have a plain language person at the department - it fell to advisors with no idea how to do it, to do it.
I assume some managers complained about it - I know my manager did. If was extremely difficult transport terminology that I had to translate into accessible language.
We need to make submissions. I definitely will be. But, going forwards, there needs to be more funding for People First to do this very important work. They said I did a good job, btw! 👍
This is appalling. I hope anyone with a disability or caring for a disability, and voted NACT1st, finally realise this government does NOT care about them (thinking older voters.....). 25% of the country has a disability - if you are eligible to vote, please explain WHY you would vote AGAINST your own interests and those like you?? It does not make sense.
And where is Whaikaha? - again certainly not advocating for the people it supposedly represents ...
It is impossible to have plain language and include te reo maori in documents.
That is why they are getting rid of the requirement to write in plain language.
We are stepping back to a time, pre-plain-language, when there was a language of the elite. Knowing the elite language was a marker of your status and kept the 'peasantry' out of important affairs.
To fight for plain language will be to fight against the movement towards te reo maori being the elite language of government.