Some remarkably positive words on federal-state infrastructure funding were heard on the weekend.

It has been taken as a hint that the Federal Government may soon change its stance to favour public transport projects.

There was much glad-handing and back-slapping at a joint press conference between Gold Coast Federal MP Stuart Robert and Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad, as they got together to talk about construction on stage two of the city's light rail system.

“Can I say to the Deputy Premier it's been a delight negotiating and that's continuing, which is good,” Mr Robert said.

“I think my wife calls us BFFs at present, the amount of time we've been calling each other.

“The State Government's been enormously constructive and I'm very confident that Jackie and I can achieve a good result on behalf of all Gold Coasters.

“I think it was really important that people understand that with a new Prime Minister who is committed to cities, to public transport, to connectivity, we were able to re-prosecute this case in a much more receptive environment.”

It has brought about a 180 degree shift in the Federal Member for Moncrieff Steven Ciobo, who previously said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was playing “silly games” by asking Tony Abbott for public transport funding.

“They've got the money from the Federal Government already, $6.7 billion worth - they [the Queensland Government] should stop coming up with pathetic excuses,” Mr Ciobo said at the time.

He now appears to see the issue differently.

“With the change in Government policy ... an opportunity arose to argue the merits again about the benefits that would flow to the Gold Coast from funding of the light rail, so I took that opportunity,” Mr Ciobo said.

“I've spoken with Malcolm Turnbull many times. He and I discussed the light rail project back in March of this year when he took the opportunity to actually ride on it - so I was familiar with his attitude toward these matters.

“I knew Malcolm Turnbull was someone who was agnostic, to quote him, agnostic about how transport infrastructure funding is used, whether or not it's funded in terms of roads or urban public transport.”