Prime Minister Tony Abbott will not reconsider a taxpayer handout to troubled fruit processor SPC Ardmona despite criticism from Liberal and National MPs on the decision.
Mr Abbott has been urged to rethink the government's refusal of a $25 million lifeline to SPC on the grounds that its worker entitlements were too generous.
He's faced criticism from Liberal MP Sharman Stone who's accused him of misleading the public over cabinet's decision, denying SPC was "guilty" of union rorts.
Nationals MP Ron Boswell has also criticised the decision, saying Mr Abbott should have consulted the coalition party room beforehand.
He's vowed to raise the issue in a future meeting.
Speaking to reporters in Adelaide, Mr Abbott said the government will not revisit its decision.
He said it was natural for there for to be some reaction to the "tough" but "necessary" decision and he understood Dr Stone was "bitterly disappointed" by the move.
"I've got to say it was a defining decision and it's not one that the government will revisit."
He stood by his comments blaming SPC's generous employee entitlements as a factor in the government's decision, even though the company has strongly rejected his claims about conditions.
"I stand by what was said by me and what was said by ministers."
