The stupidest bill this year

Stuff reports:

National 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” and one which will create “language police”. …

Her plain language bill, which passed its second reading in the House on Thursday, would mean every public service and Crown agency must make sure it communicates in plain language and have a designated plain language officer. 

Language officers – just what we need!

Bishop said the issue didn’t 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?”

Bishop is right. You don’t need an Act of Parliament to tell staff in agencies to use plain language.

I have no doubt this law will end up creating bureaucracy within the bureaucracy.