2008 John Monash Scholar David Hume is celebrating his first book, People Power, a treatise on Referenda in Australia since Federation. Written with leading constitutional lawyer and public commentator Professor George Williams, the book is published by UNSW Press, and will be launched in Sydney in November.
David returned to Sydney in 2009 after completing his Masters of Law at Harvard University. He works as a solicitor at major Australian law firm Freehills, and continues his research as
a Visiting Fellow at UNSW. In his undergraduate career he won university medals in both philosophy and law at UNSW, and has worked in the High Court of Australia and at the University of Melbourne.
David’s book is a timely contribution to understanding of the Australian political landscape. The authors have analysed referenda conducted in the last century in their legal, historical and political contexts, and explain why so many have been unsuccessful. Further, they propose approaches which could improve the likelihood of a successful referendum.