FGD135, I've never really thought that what Darwin Approach does is a good example for anything!
Especially when it is simply wrong. I absolutely agree that it should be kept simple, and it definately doesn't help with so much misinformation and bad examples around. Your points 1 and 2 are irrelevant -- it doesn't matter whether there have been NOTAMS or not, the AIP is very clear.
They
should be saying "ABC, descend to 1600, cleared visual approach", or "ABC, descend not below the CTA steps, cleared visual approach", or "ABC, cleared DME arrival, cleared visual approach when visual" etc etc.
They
must clear you lower than 8000 if they are not operating under procedural control (at night), unless you want to maintain 8000 until the circling area/5/7/10nm boundary.