PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has told the WA Government to "determine its priorities" and decide what it wants more: federal funding for a new football stadium or more public transport.

The new 60,000-seat football stadium is expected to cost more than $1 billion and West Australians have been told it will be ready by the start of the 2018 AFL season.

But so far no federal funding has been guaranteed.

Mr Rudd said it was too early to make a commitment on funding the stadium because there were still "outstanding matters regarding the proposed Burswood site".

"It is understood there are currently different options proposed for new or upgraded stadium complexes in Perth, as well as outstanding matters regarding the proposed Burswood site including total cost to the taxpayer, tender arrangements and consideration and cost of transport options," he said.

"The Government hopes to be apprised of developments as these issues are progressed."

The Prime Minister also suggested that Mr Barnett should be more concerned with honouring his state election commitments to upgrade public transport in the state.

Mr Rudd said his Government recognised that "Perth needs better public transport".

"That's why a further $500 million has been committed to assist the West Australian Government in delivering either light rail or a new rail link to the airport," he said.

"It's time for the WA Government to determine its priorities and get on with the job of building these much-needed pieces of infrastructure.

"After all, that's precisely what they promised to do prior to the most recent state election."

Meanwhile, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott opened the door for Coalition funding, should he win the election.

He told The Sunday Times he would be happy to "talk over" funding for the project with Mr Barnett the next time he was in WA.

"It would be good to have a world-class stadium in Perth to support any future attempts at attracting international events to Australia, such as the Commonwealth Games," Mr Abbott said.

"I will be happy to talk over the funding issue for the Perth Stadium next time I am in the west and meeting with Premier Colin Barnett."

Mr Abbott's deputy, WA politician Julie Bishop, yesterday also weighed in on the funding debate by pointing out that other stadiums around Australia had received commonwealth funding such as $30 million towards the Adelaide Oval redevelopment and $10 million towards the installation of sports lighting at Simonds Stadium in Geelong.

While the Burswood stadium cost has been estimated at $690 million and the surrounding precinct $70.2 million, the cost of transport infrastructure such as an upgraded Belmont train station and footbridge link to East Perth will push the price tag above the $1 billion mark.

Faced with a tight budget, Mr Barnett's Government has already turned to the private sector to help fund the stadium.

"The state will pay approximately 60 per cent of the capital cost of the project (the stadium, sports precinct and some transport infrastructure works located within the precinct and thus included within the DBFM scope) during the construction period," a spokesman for the Premier said yesterday.