Plain English Foundation Editors, Dr Elizabeth Beach and Emily Halloran, have been appointed to the judging panel of the 2025 Plain Language Awards, the benchmark for excellence in clear communication across Australia and New Zealand.
Elizabeth and Emily join a 36-strong panel of experts shaping the future of plain communication across Australia and New Zealand. Elizabeth will assess entries in the Best Public Sector Website category, while Emily will evaluate contenders for Best Public Sector Document.
Their selection reflects the Foundation’s pivotal role as a leader in plain language training and editing, working with organisations to improve clarity, build trust and strengthen public confidence.
It also reinforces the Foundation’s authority in government and business communication and the respect it holds across the region.
“Being invited to judge these Awards is a significant endorsement of both Elizabeth and Emily’s expertise, and of the Foundation’s authority in the field,” said Yusuf Pingar, General Manager of Plain English Foundation.
“It demonstrates how highly the Foundation is regarded across government and business, and reinforces our mission to make communication clear, accessible and impactful.”
The recognition comes at a time when organisations across industries face growing pressure to improve transparency and rebuild public trust.
Regulators, investors and customers are increasingly demanding plain, accessible language in communication, with governments and corporates alike acknowledging that clarity is now a hallmark of good governance and accountability.
A strong example of this in practice is the Foundation’s work with the Department of Human Services (now Services Australia).
When the department merged the Medicare, Centrelink and Child Support Agency websites, Foundation-trained staff provided style guides and evaluated progress to ensure content met plain language standards.
The result was one of the best public sector websites in the region, achieving an 88% score in our review and making it faster and easier for millions of Australians to access critical government services online.
The Foundation has also worked on several other major public sector websites, providing plain language expertise to:
- Improve clarity and readability
- Ensure accessibility standards are met
- Enhance transparency of government programs
- Support vulnerable users who are navigating complex processes.
Both Elizabeth and Emily are trusted leaders in clear communication with extensive experience in the field. They play a central role in delivering the Foundation’s training and editing services.
Elizabeth is a Senior Editor at Plain English Foundation and leader of the client relationship team, with a background in linguistics and a specialisation in government and scientific writing.
Emily is an Editor at Plain English Foundation, with a background in education and deep expertise in transforming technical and corporate documents into clear, confident communication.
Founded in 2021 by the WriteMark Plain English Awards Trust, the Plain Language Awards recognise excellence in clear communication across New Zealand and Australia. The Awards aim to raise the standards of clarity and transparency in government and business communication.
Finalists will be announced in September, with winners revealed at New Zealand Parliament on 30 October 2025.
