Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she expects new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to boost funding for Queensland's public transport infrastructure.
She says Mr Turnbull's ouster of Tony Abbott should lead to a better relationship between the Labor state and the Commonwealth but it will require the federal Liberal government to change tack.
"A change in leadership will only be valuable if it leads to a change in direction," Ms Palaszczuk told parliament on Tuesday.
"The captain's calls of Mr Abbott were not just limited to knighthoods and banning ministers from certain TV programs," she said.
"Mr Abbott was crystal clear that the federal government would have nothing to do with helping to fund major public transport infrastructure in this state and that must change."
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad opted for a visual prop to sell the message, waving a picture at the opposition benches of Mr Turnbull on the Gold Coast light rail, the second stage of which has been controversially held due to a lack of federal money.
"The number one impediment to Gold Coast light rail was removed last night," she guffawed.
"I'm very happy to advise that the new prime minister loves Gold Coast light rail."
Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg praised Mr Abbott's achievements, especially tightening border security and "repairing the budget".
He said he'd also left a message of congratulations for Mr Turnbull, "indicating to him the warmth and affection of Queenslanders and how we look forward to him visiting this state as quickly as he possibly can."
LNP state director Lincoln Folo labelled Mr Abbott a great friend to Queensland.
"As prime minister, he's delivered billions of dollars in planned infrastructure spending, a Northern Australia White Paper and three Free Trade Agreements which will all bring long-term benefits to Queensland," he said in a statement.
Queensland Council of Unions President John Battams called for Mr Turnbull to reveal whether he still backed the Abbott government's budget savings measures.
"Turnbull is on the record as saying he unreservedly supports each and every element of the coalition's budgets - that is cuts to Medicare, cuts to health and education, $100,000-dollar degrees and cuts to paid parental leave," Mr Battams said.
"He needs to declare his stance now so that Australians can judge if Turnbull is different or just a new paint job on a policy wreck."
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