Tony Abbott has left open the option of taking back nearly $1.5 billion in federal funding for the East West Link as he lashed out at the Victorian government, accusing it of "recklessly" destroying 7000 jobs, adding to traffic congestion and damaging Australia's reputation for safe, reliable infrastructure investment.

But it is also possible that the East-West funds could sit on the asset side of the Victorian government accounts indefinitely or that they could be used for other projects even though Canberra remains officially opposed to funding urban public transport, as Victoria would like to do.

"We will talk to the Victorian government about other projects, but the truth is there is no other major shovel-ready project in Victoria," Mr Abbott said.

The conciliatory tone of that comment may reflect nervousness by federal Liberals in Melbourne's eastern suburbs over the unpopular project.