Plain language bill labelled as ‘stupid’

The National Party and the ACT Party have labelled a bill which seeks to make all public sector agencies use clear, concise language when communicating with the public as ‘‘stupid’’.

Labour backbencher Rachel Boyack said complicated language acted as a barrier for many – including migrants, the disabled and those with English as a second language. ‘‘As an electorate MP it is an issue that does come across my desk a lot,’’ she said. Her plain language bill, which passed its second reading in the House yesterday, would mean every public service and Crown agency must make sure it communicates in plain language and have a designated plain language officer. This sweeping move would impact hundreds of workplaces. It would impact all official documents and websites.

National’s Simeon Brown said the new positions would be ‘‘language police’’, adding unnecessary bureaucracy, and argued its true intent was to ‘‘control minds’’. ‘‘This is all about the Government wanting to control the message to New Zealanders more and more,’’ Brown said.

But Labour MP Naisi Chen said it would be a role assigned to a person already working, refuting Brown’s claim it would see thousands of new hires in the public sector. She criticised Brown for not appearing at the select committee meetings where the issues were discussed.

‘‘We have gone through all these details,’’ she said. ‘‘He chose not to participate in any of those conversations.’’

Research from the US showed the use of plain language reduced costs in the longer term, as people did not need to double-check information, she said.

National’s Chris Bishop said the bill was ‘‘stupid’’ and criticised the fact there had not been an analysis of its cost benefits or a regulatory impact statement.

Bishop said the issue did not need to be legislated against.

‘‘Why not send out an email from [state services commissioner] Peter Hughes saying we need to make sure we are writing clearly and concisely?’’

ACTMP James McDowall said the appointment of plain language officers was ‘‘absolute absurdity’’.

Green MP Jan Logie was also concerned the move was not enforceable but she disagreed with National that it would cause ‘‘political indoctrination for our public services’’.

‘‘This is a good initiative the Greens believe will help improve access to our public services.’’

The bill has a third reading before it becomes law.