Chief justice raps State for rushing ahead with same-sex result

The chief justice has issued a stern warning to organs of the State for rushing ahead with the marriage equality referendum result before the matter had been decided by the Supreme Court.

Ms Justice Susan Denham’s pointed remarks were made in a judgment refusing leave to appeal against a decision by the Court of Appeal dismissing two separate challenges to the same-sex marriage referendum.

Ms Justice Susan Denham said “very serious constitutional consequences” may have occurred had the Supreme Court allowed a number of citizens yesterday to present a petition challenging the result of the May 22 poll.