Paul Kildea

Associate Professor Paul Kildea is affiliated with the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he holds a position in the School of Global & Public Law within the Faculty of Law and Justice. His academic rank is Associate Professor, and he currently serves as Director of the Elections & Referendums Project at the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law. His research focuses on public law, with a particular emphasis on referendums, electoral law, federalism, and constitutional reform. He has contributed to scholarly works such as Tomorrow’s Federation: Reforming Australian Government and has published extensively in law and political science journals both nationally and internationally.

Professor Kildea’s research interests include analyzing referendum rules, electoral law reform, and the intersection of constitutional frameworks with democratic governance. His recent work explores state and territory referendums, the role of electoral commissions, and the implications of constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians. He has also examined the conduct of the 2017 same-sex marriage postal survey and its implications for future referendums.

His publications span book chapters, edited volumes, and peer-reviewed articles, with recent contributions addressing topics like advisory referendums, the legal status of plebiscites, and comparative constitutional reform. He engages actively in public discourse through media commentary and policy submissions, advocating for modernization of Australia’s referendum machinery and equitable democratic processes.

Notably, he has led impactful projects such as the Process Considerations for a First Nations Voice Referendum and provided expert analysis on proposed changes to referendum laws. His work bridges academic scholarship with practical policy recommendations, emphasizing the importance of informed public engagement in constitutional decision-making.