Jennifer Rankine Cabinet resignation: SA Premier praises minister's 'fine record'

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has praised the work of departing Cabinet minister Jennifer Rankine.

After two years heading up the education and child development portfolios, Ms Rankine said she would move to the backbench to allow her to spend more time with her family.

The Premier said Ms Rankine could feel proud of her career as part of the Labor Government.

"She has had a fine record of promoting the interests of children in particular, first as parliamentary secretary assisting the minister for health, introducing the home visiting scheme and doing wonderful things in both the housing and disability portfolios," he said.

Ms Rankine said public scrutiny over child abuse cases involving government agency Families SA had nothing to do with her decision.

"I think I've been able to restore a lot of confidence in parents that if something does go wrong that it'll be handled properly," she said.

"Anyone that knows my character knows that when there's something difficult to be done I don't shy away from that."

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said Ms Rankine was stepping down because she did not want to find out what a Royal Commission into child protection determined.

"Forgive me for being cynical," he said.

Mr Weatherill said Ms Rankine had been one of his Government's best communicators and those skills would be missed in Cabinet.

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Jennifer Rankine Cabinet resignation: SA Premier praises minister's 'fine record'