SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BILL DOUBLES CHANCES

Gay MPs Kevin Hague and Louisa Wall hope that having both their member's bills in the parliamentary ballot will make same-sex marriage twice as likely.

The Green and Labour MPs submitted bills and were happy to see them both accepted.

Mr Hague said marriage equality was a "right whose time has come". Ms Wall agreed and said a law change would reflect the public mood.

Both MPs have vowed to support whichever bill is drawn and to work together to gather support from across the House.

"We are looking forward to the debate," Mr Hague said.

ALWAYS LOOK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

It's that awkward moment when you realise the person you're talking about is standing or sitting right behind you. Then there are the times you continue to gossip away completely unaware.

So it was for Super-minister Steven Joyce on a recent flight to Wellington, when a staffer from the newly formed Business, Innovation and Employment Ministry spent the trip lamenting the merger.

He, and his companion, were unaware, or simply didn't care, that the man in charge of the new mega-department was seated directly across the aisle from them with his entire family.

FISHING FOR ANSWER PROVES FAIRLY PRICEY

Green Party MP Gareth Hughes thought there was something fishy going on when Primary Industries Minister David Carter responded to his written parliamentary questions on which companies had quotas for different types of shark species.

He was surprised to be directed to a pay-walled website where, for the price of just $607.20, anyone could access the information.

Mr Hughes said it raised concerns about public access to information. When contacted about the issue, Mr Carter said he had not been aware of the cost and would provide the information free.

BACK TO THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF LAS VEGAS

Is it a case of once bitten, not shy? The Prime Minister's chief of staff, Wayne Eagleson, who toughed out criticism of his "boys' trip" to Las Vegas with a group of old friends, has taken a second jaunt to the gambling haven.

In 2010 Mr Eagleson was joined on the trip by lobbyists and old friends Roger Sowry and Mark Unsworth as well as NZ Post chief executive Brian Roche.

It is understood Mr Roche was with Mr Eagleson on the latest trip. A spokesman for Mr Key said he was aware Mr Eagleson took time off for his latest privately-funded holiday.

- © Fairfax NZ News