Scheduled as the No.1 item for debate last Tuesday, it was first delayed until Thursday but the State Government again moved to delay debate in the upper house until the next parliamentary sitting later this month.

Northern Victoria MP Donna Petrovich said: "Mr [Justin] Madden [planning minister] wasn't even in the chamber, he's never been to any public meetings and they've just given him the portfolio minister for respect. He's not showing respect for anyone."

While official debate on the matter will have to wait, Mrs Petrovich had her say in Parliament on Wednesday when she made a statement on the issue.

"This contribution, or development tax, of $95,000 per hectare is to be paid on the sale of residential land which will be rezoned by Melbourne's Growth Area Authority...unfortunately there are people involved who were not consulted."

Opposition Planning Minister Matthew Guy said it was hypocritical for the Government to delay the bill given the criticism the Liberal Party received when it delayed it in December last year.

Mrs Petrovich said the Government didn't know what to do with this piece of legislation now.

Mr Madden said: "We remain hopeful the bill will pass. We want to see the bill debated and passed so we can provide the infrastructure and services families in Melbourne's growing suburbs need and deserve.

"The Opposition moved to defer debate on the GAIC before Christmas, rather than reveal their own plan for funding infrastructure in growth suburbs.

"We have consulted widely, we have attempted to negotiate with the Opposition and we are still willing to sit at the table."

Lobby group Taxed Out spokeswoman Nola Dunn

said: "We've got two weeks to plan our next angle of attack."