ACT Labor leader Andrew Barr and Canberra Liberals leader Jeremy Hanson have clashed over light rail and health during the ACT Leaders' Debate.

Mr Barr and Mr Hanson faced off during the debate at the National Press Club ahead of the ACT election on Saturday.

After a friendly handshake between the party leaders, the debate quickly turned fiery over the controversial topic of light rail.

The Liberals have vowed to rip up tracks and contracts signed if they win power.

But Labor and the Greens have continued to campaign strongly on the tram, announcing a second stage that would extend to Woden.

The first stage from Gungahlin to the city is expected to cost more than $1 billion, with Labor yet to announce their budget for stage two.

After a friendly handshake, the debate quickly turned fiery on the topic of light rail. ( ABC News: Ben Harris )

Mr Hanson: The first phase is $1.78 billion and you're saying that [stage two to Woden] is going to cost $25 million... [Laughter from audience]. Mr Hanson: ... you've got to go across Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and it's $25 million is it? ... That is a budget black hole. Mr Barr: That's planning for the next stage. Mr Hanson: But what is the cost? What is it? Mr Barr: That's the procurement cost for the next stage. Mr Hanson: That's billions. Mr Barr: ... $25 million is to get to the same stage as we did with stage one procurement, which went through a competitive process and resulted in an outstanding price for Canberra. [Laughter from audience]. Mr Hanson: You've got to be kidding.

Health policies cause fireworks

Mr Barr and Mr Hanson attacked each other's health policies. ( ABC News: Ben Harris )

The leaders also clashed over health policies, with Mr Barr attacking the Liberals' plan to build two new 22-bed mini hospitals in Gungahlin and Tuggeranong.

Mr Hanson said that the Australian Medical Association "called it a ripper of a plan", causing Mr Barr to interject that "every other health professional has trashed it ... the ambos are saying they will not go anywhere near it".

Mr Barr: They're not real hospitals. They're dangerous. Mr Hanson: Shame on you. Shame on you to run a scare campaign on good health systems. Mr Barr: Healthcare in this city should be concentrated on Canberra Hospital and at Calvary... Mr Hanson: That is outrageous ... you're trying to scare people away from a health policy. Mr Barr: ... that is where health services should be concentrated. Mr Hanson: That is extraordinary.

Liberals release rates plan

Despite making it one of the centrepieces of their election campaign, the Liberals left it until minutes before the debate began to release the detail on their plan for rates.

For the past two elections, the Liberals have claimed that rates will triple under a Labor Government.

Labor claimed that while rates would slowly rise as part of their plan to wind back stamp duty, as a pay off, stamp duty would eventually be abolished.

On Wednesday night the Liberals confirmed, if elected, they would freeze the current level of rates and stamp duty, putting an end to Labor's plans.

"The program that we're announcing today will have the same combined revenue that the Government's proposal has, except we we would say it's a much fairer arrangement," shadow treasurer Alistair Coe said.

At the debate, Mr Barr said the Liberals' plan would make buying homes more expensive and make it harder for government to predict their main source of income.