NZ passes new plain language law

History was made in New Zealand when the Plain Language Act was passed into law on 19 October 2022. MP Glen Bennett said the bill is about ‘having language that everyone and anyone can understand.’ 

Although there are no plans for a plain language law in Australia, some other countries have introduced similar laws. Barack Obama was president when the US passed its Plain Writing Act in 2010. 

In Canada, plain language has recently become an election issue. Prime ministerial candidate Pierre Poilievre has promised to introduce a new law to require government publications to use the ‘fewest and simplest words needed’.  

Soon, there will be an international plain language standard. The International Plain Language Federation is coordinating this work and intends to release the document in early 2023!