Gungahlin land sales to debated in ACT Legislative Assembly

The Greens-backed motion, which revealed a split in the territory's coalition partnership, is due to be debated on Wednesday after it was adjourned during last sitting week.

The motion put forward by Greens backbencher Andrew Braddock called on the ACT government to halt all land sales in the Gungahlin town centre until a planning review is completed.

But Labor would not support the motion, as the party believed it went against the government's policy of urban infill and a commitment to build more affordable housing.

The Liberals were going to vote in favour of the motion, which meant it would have passed.

However, a vote on the motion was controversially deferred, after Planning Minister Mick Gentleman called for adjournment citing a possible conflict of interest with the Assembly's planning committee.

Labor and the Greens have been locked in discussions over the past three weeks about an amended motion. It is expected the motion will be finalised on Tuesday.

Mr Braddock said he wanted the motion to deliver better social outcomes.

"The ACT Greens went to the election on a strong platform of building a better normal," he said.

"This motion is to ensure we have better planning planning for Gungahlin and are not continuing with business as usual.

"It's about delivering better planning outcomes, and therefore better social outcomes, for the community by listening to what they want for their town centre."

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The motion's deferral caused a fiery debate on the Assembly floor after the Greens sided with Labor to defer the vote.

The Canberra Liberals accused Labor and the Greens of "making a mockery" of the territory's parliament.

"There is no reason that this matter should be adjourned with Labor and the Greens using numbers in the chamber to vote to protect their own political interests," ACT Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee said at the time.

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