Premium Expert briefings How to change the world with HR: tips on taking people management to the next level from the new APS head of profession and her corporate-affairs counterparts Features Jacqui Curtis hit the ground running on her first day as inaugural head of the human resources profession within the Australian Public Service, offering the
Mike Mrdak: public servants must ditch the business jargon, stop being scared of citizens May 8, 2019 By Stephen Easton Communications & Technology Government agencies need to be more open, honest and direct with the public, come to terms with social media and realise that working with people
Human Services to run plain English training for key staff November 30, 2018 By Stephen Easton Communications & Technology The Department of Human Services is planning to provide 200 staff per year with “plain English” training. After adopting a plain English policy in August,
Human Services website the first to meet the Plain English Foundation's gold standard November 2, 2018 By The Mandarin Community & Social The Department of Human Services has recently overhauled its website and received a big tick of approval from the Plain English Foundation. It is also
The critical factors for plain English success in government March 24, 2017 By Dr Neil James Plain English is hardly a new idea. It’s been more than 30 years since the Australian government launched its simpler forms project, and most agencies
What does a plain English editor do? December 14, 2016 By Dr Neil James We commonly think of editors as the word nerds who “correct the commas and stuff”. Plain English editors are certainly fit for that task, but
The readability debate: is there a formula for the write stuff? October 13, 2016 By Dr Neil James In a series of 2016 reports, an Irish software company reviewed the clarity of government websites in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United
The arguments against plain English (don't stack up) September 14, 2016 By Dr Neil James While the benefits of plain English are now well established, staff can resist even if their agency endorses writing reform. Here are some of the
Words that should be banned from government writing August 30, 2016 By Dr Neil James When it comes to language, we all have our pet peeves: words that are overused, misused, or just plain abused. But should we go a
Brushing up on the plain English essentials July 27, 2016 By Dr Neil James Despite the bad press they get, public servants, on the whole, can actually write. It’s just that from the moment we start drafting briefing notes,
10 reasons executives should embrace plain English June 15, 2016 By Dr Neil James 10. Get more of your life back Let’s start with the most immediate benefit: plain English frees up time. How long do you spend wading
How to write a brilliant blog in government June 8, 2016 By Harley Dennett Engagement Australia doesn’t yet link up its blogs like the UK does at blogs.gov.uk … but it can still take advantage of the wisdom and lessons that
A Plain English program goes well beyond the words May 25, 2016 By Dr Neil James Earlier this month, Immigration and Border Protection Secretary Michael Pezzullo prescribed four concrete strategies to improve the public sector. One was to “communicate clearly” in
How the federal budget tested the policy sales pitch May 11, 2016 By Dr Neil James Treasurer Scott Morrison’s sales pitch for the federal budget is already in trouble. Monday’s Fairfax Ipsos poll showed around half of Australians disapproved of the