Five Million Voices

Should the Plain Language Act 2022 be repealed to remove its requirements on public service agencies?

The bill repeals the Plain Language Act 2022, removing the statutory requirements it placed on public service agencies to communicate in plain language and to report on doing so.

MPs’ arguments for and against the bill

Why support it
  • Supporters argued the Act created an unnecessary compliance burden, requiring agencies to appoint plain language officers and produce reports that diverted resources from frontline services.
  • Supporters said clear communication is something public servants should already do and cannot be effectively legislated, making the Act ineffective and impossible to measure.
  • Supporters argued repealing the Act frees up taxpayer money and reduces red tape so agencies can focus on delivering services.
Why oppose it
  • Opponents argued the Act made government information more accessible to people with disabilities, new New Zealanders, and others, supporting wider participation in democracy.
  • Opponents said the Act imposed little red tape and lacked court enforcement, so the stated burden was minimal and the repeal was an unnecessary use of Parliament's time.
  • Opponents argued the original measure had broad support from disability advocacy groups and others, and that reducing accessible communication benefits private interests over public access.

These are claims MPs made in Parliament’s debate — not verified facts.

Full bill summary & link to official bill page

A Government bill that would repeal the Plain Language Act 2022. That Act required public service agencies to write documents and websites the public can easily understand, to appoint 'plain language officers', and to report on their progress. Repealing it would remove those legal duties. Agencies could still choose to communicate plainly, but would no longer be required by law to do so or to report on it.

The 2022 Act began as a Labour member's bill. Public Service Minister Judith Collins introduced the repeal. Supporters say the Act added compliance cost and bureaucracy for something officials should do anyway. Critics, including plain-language advocates, say the rules helped disabled people, migrants and others access government information, and that removing them weakens accountability.

See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.

Oppose (No) Support (Yes)

Plain Language Act Repeal Bill · First Reading, 1 Apr 2025
Parliament voted 68–55 — it passed.