In a statement released in the midst of the debate,Mr Gordon announced he did not believe the legislation achieved the balance he believed it needed to work.
"After months of consultation with a variety of people,groups and organisations around my electorate,and those adjacent to the Cook electorate,I am of the firm view that the proposed vegetation management reforms don't strike the necessary balance between Indigenous economic development,protecting the environment and supporting our farmers,"he said.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad will write to UNESCO seeking a meeting as the government considers its next step,given the legislation was included in the joint Australia-Queensland government bid to UNESCO to keep the Great Barrier Reef off the'in danger'list.
Mr Gordon had chalked up a last-minute deal with the government to review the Cape York Development and Sustainability Strategy to make it easier for indigenous communities to establish businesses.
But the loss of Mr Gordon's vote left Labor two short of the 45 votes it needed to pass the legislation,which was to reinstate tighter controls over landholders in key areas in regards to native vegetation clearing.
It is the first piece of legislation introduced by the minority Palaszcuk government it has failed to pass,with Mr Gordon's announcement sealing the first major legislative defeat for the government in 18 months.