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Governance and Administration Committee Plain Language Act Repeal Bill

Posted in Submission, Government; Tagged Government; Posted 11 months ago by DPA Less than a minute to read

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To: Governance and Administration Committee
Date: May 2025

 

Purpose

This submission/s primary purpose is to strongly oppose the repeal of the Plain Language Act 2022, arguing that its repeal would undermine government effectiveness, accountability, and, critically, the human rights of disabled people to access clear, understandable information. DPA aims to highlight the Act's significant benefits for communities, particularly those facing communication barriers, and emphasizes that its repeal would be a regressive step.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA urges the withdrawal of the Plain Language Act Repeal Bill. DPA emphasises that one of the original purposes of the Plain Language Act 2022 was to improve government effectiveness and accountability, which are crucial in a democracy, as clear communication enables the public to better understand government actions and decisions.

DPA highlights that using plain language specifically benefits people who need to process information quickly, those with English as a second language, and individuals with low literacy levels. Critically, communities most impacted by government decisions, including disabled people, are among those who benefit most from clear information. Many disabled people encounter significant barriers to accessing communications in easily understandable formats; this includes people with learning disabilities and neurodiverse/autistic individuals who have reading difficulties, D/deaf people who use New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) as their first language and may have low literacy, and blind and low vision people who struggle with written materials.

DPA argues that plain language makes the translation of documents and communications into accessible formats like NZSL and Easy Read significantly easier. The submission cites Statistics New Zealand data indicating that 27% of disabled people leave school with no qualifications (compared to 13% of non-disabled people) and national literacy data showing that around 48% of adults have low literacy skills. DPA notes that disability service providers and Disabled People's Organisations previously supported the plain language law in 2022. DPA refutes the argument that repealing the law would save money, pointing out that plain language officers are existing staff and that clearer communication actually saves the government millions in follow-up inquiries and explanations for unclear information.

DPA believes the government did not allow sufficient time for the Act to demonstrate its full benefits and, furthermore, failed to consult with disabled people and other impacted communities before proposing its repeal. DPA asserts that repealing the Plain Language Act would represent a "huge step backwards" in recognizing the human rights of all people, including disabled people, to receive accessible information. Consequently, DPA firmly believes that the repeal would put the New Zealand Government in breach of Article 21 of the UNCRPD, which specifically upholds the right of disabled people to receive information in accessible formats, including plain language.

 

Key Recommendation/Finding:

DPA believes that if this Act is repealed that the New Zealand Government will be in breach of Article 21 of the UNCRPD, which upholds the right of disabled people to receive information in accessible formats, including plain language.

 

Supporting Statement 1:

Many disabled people, including those with learning disabilities, D/deaf individuals (whose first language is NZSL and may have low literacy), and blind/low vision people, face significant barriers to accessing communications in easily understandable formats.

 

Supporting Statement 2:

Plain language significantly simplifies the process of translating government documents and communications into crucial accessible formats like NZ Sign Language and Easy Read, which are essential for effective information dissemination to disabled communities.

 
 

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DPA Submission 2505 Governance and Administration Committee Plain Language Act Repeal Bill

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