Govt policy risks food bowl 'leak': Labor

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has accused the federal government of running up the white flag on Australian jobs after it rejected a request for assistance to upgrade SPC Ardmona's facilities in Victoria.

He warned Australia's food bowl will develop a "leak" and called on the government to stand up for Australian jobs.

Cabinet last week rejected a request by SPC's parent company Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) for a $25 million contribution to upgrade facilities.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Monday said CCA had a stronger balance sheet than the federal government and could afford to fund its subsidiary.

"It really is up to (CCA) management to put the ... funding in place to ensure that this very historic and potentially very good business can continue far into the future," Mr Abbott said.

But Mr Shorten said the company and workers were pulling their weight.

"It is a disgrace where you've got company willing to put in tens and tens of millions of dollars, you've got workers who've tightened their belts to save this business, when will the government start showing leadership and stand up for Australian jobs?" Mr Shorten told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.

"The food bowl's going to develop a giant leak if the Abbott government's policies are going to be allowed to be carried out."