The Greens have found what some might consider an unlikely ally for their latest battle: Tom Elliott.

Melbourne MP Ellen Sandell wants to ban councillors from taking donations from property developers.

Councillors can currently accept donations from developers, but must not vote on related planning issues.

Ms Sandell says that’s all too easy.

‘How can a council function when half of them are out of the room?’ she said.

The first-term MP claimed the City of Melbourne council, led by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, had a particular reliance on developer donations, accepting more than $400,000 in the lead-up to the last election.

Click play to hear from Ellen Sandell and Tom’s take