SA parliament remembers John Bannon

South Australia's parliament has remembered former premier John Bannon as a man of integrity who made a lasting impact on the state.

Mr Bannon, who died of cancer in December aged 72, was the state's longest-serving Labor premier, holding office from 1982 to 1992.

Premier Jay Weatherill compared Mr Bannon - a noted cricket fanatic - to an opening Test batsman: patient and risk-averse but technically sound and always looking for opportunities.

"What stood out most for me was his amazing resilience and generosity of spirit," the premier told parliament on Tuesday.

"His legacy is all around for us to appreciate in 2016."