Fed package after Holden quits an insult THE federal government's joint $100 million assistance package after Holden's decision to quit production is pathetic, South Australia Premier Jay Weatherill says. Mr Weatherill says the Commonwealth should contribute much more to help create jobs in the state's manufacturing sector and the wider economy. "The federal government's response to the closure of Holden is pathetic," Mr Weatherill said on Wednesday. The federal government doesn't understand the urgency of responding to this and they don't seem to care. Prime Minister Tony Abbott didn't speak to Holden workers, didn't speak to component manufacturers and their workers. This is manifestly inadequate help for workers making a transition into new jobs. Victorian Premier Denis Napthine says the federal government's package is a positive first step but he expects more funding. Dr Napthine talked with key car industry players on Wednesday. He welcomed a proposed examination of the future of manufacturing in Victoria and South Australia, by the federal government. "I would fully expect as those reviews are undertaken that they would be accompanied by further serious commitments of funding to assist transition into the economy of Victoria and South Australia," Dr Napthine told reporters. The Victorian government would contribute $12 million to the Holden fund, he said. Mr Abbott said the funding arrangements would start in 2014/15 with the SA and Victorian governments to be asked to contribute $12 million each and Holden about $20 million on top of the federal government's $60 million. The details of how the money will be spent will be worked out in talks between Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, the two states and industry groups. But Mr Weatherill said South Australia will seek an increase in the level of funding from the federal government. He said South Australia would contribute at least $50 million and possibly more after previously agreeing to provide that much money to Holden to keep its assembly operations in business. At the same time South Australian independent Senator Nick Xenophon also says the federal government assistance package is an insult to the state. "This package makes Scrooge look like Father Christmas in comparison," he said. Holden's executive director of corporate affairs George Svigos said Holden had a willingness to commit to the package but no amount has been put forward yet. "We need to look at it in further detail before making a commitment," Mr Svigos said. Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union vehicle division secretary Dave Smith says the package is an insult to workers. "To just offer some scraps on the table to these workers who have been affected by this is just terrible," Mr Smith said. Mr Smith said the package was nowhere near enough and the government was treating workers with contempt. "It's a bit like throwing chips to a seagull," he said. It's nowhere near enough to guarantee these workers will be able to transition into proper jobs. Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Brian Boyd said the government needed to do more. "It's a starting point only, it's nowhere near enough," Mr Boyd said. The impact of all these job losses in manufacturing in Victoria is shocking, we're not happy with it, it's had a psychological impact on workers. The government needed to do more to retrain workers so they can transition to better jobs, Mr Boyd said. "We've got thousands of manufacturing jobs lost here in Victoria and we need to do more about it," he said. Australian Industry Group Victorian branch director Tim Piper said the package was a starting point. "We'd be hoping the federal government steps up to the plate, the state governments and Holden are looking at what they can do as well," Mr Piper said. Toyota needs to be supported to stay in Australia and the country's existing manufacturing base broadened, he said. Professional Engineers Australia chief executive Chris Walton said keeping Toyota in Australia is the priority to maintain the manufacturing industry. It was not too late for the government to save engineering and design jobs he said, urging the government to act.