SA premier apologises over comments

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has apologised for comments in relation to the Chloe Valentine case, saying he didn't intend to upset the family of the dead girl.

Mr Weatherill told reporters on Thursday that there was "a special place in hell for people who play politics with child sexual abuse", remarks he said were directed at the state opposition over its call for a new children's commissioner to have investigative powers.

But the remarks upset Belinda Valentine, the grandmother of four-year-old Chloe who died in 2012 after repeatedly falling from a motorbike she had been forced to ride.

Chloe's mother and her mother's partner have been jailed over her death.

Ms Valentine told ABC radio that Mr Weatherill should "watch his words" as she related how his comments had upset others in her family.

"That's awful and I'm sorry that happened. That's certainly not what I intended," Mr Weatherill told ABC radio on Friday.

"I'm very sorry for the effect that I've had on those little children and also on the grandmother as well."

But the premier also continued his attack on the opposition, who he said were playing politics over the issue.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall rejected suggestions the Liberals had agreed with the government that further action on child sexual abuse should await the outcome of an ongoing royal commission.