Prime Minister Tony Abbott hardened his stance on government assistance to business, rejecting SPC Ardmona's request for a $25 million co-investment in the fruit processor and calling on the company to renegotiate conditions in its ''extraordinary'' enterprise agreement with workers.

In a decision that could risk up to 3000 jobs in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, Mr Abbott supported Liberal economic dries including Treasurer Joe Hockey and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann to knock back the request after a three-hour cabinet discussion.

Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane and Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce had backed the company's request, which would also have triggered a $25 million investment from the Victorian government and ensured SPC's parent company, Coca-Cola Amatil, would spend up to $161 million on the canning facilities.