Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says Holden workers are frustrated that the federal government has given up on their jobs.
Mr Shorten on Friday met with Holden workers at the car maker's plant in Melbourne, just days after they were told it would close by the end of 2017.
The Labor leader said the employees believed government assistance could have saved their jobs.
"They are frustrated the Abbott government ran up the white flag and won't fight for their jobs," Mr Shorten said.
"They understand Holden was interested in staying in Australia with some kind of government support."
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Mr Shorten called on the prime minister to use a portion of the money set aside for the $5.5 billion paid parental leave scheme, which is the subject of talks with the premiers in Canberra on Friday, to assist the car industry.
There should also be a bipartisan position on the future of manufacturing and a firm commitment from the government that it wanted a car industry.
"This government will be the first government since cars were invented that doesn't want a car industry in Australia," Mr Shorten said.
