Speakable Australian Acts

Parliamentary counsel have long been criticised for the style of legislative texts, with readers claiming (often with some justification) that Acts of Parliament are difficult to read and understand. Parliamentary counsel in Australia have recognised the difficulties faced by users of Acts and, during the past seven or eight years, have by various means endeavoured to lessen those difficulties. This article outlines some of the initiatives that have been taken in Australia, and in particular in New South Wales, to make legislation more comprehensible to readers.