SA premier defends minister's travel

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has defended his Tourism Minister Leon Bignell against criticism of his travel expenses.

Mr Weatherill says he wants all his ministers to travel regularly to promote the state.

"Of course I expect them to use taxpayers' dollars prudently, and I see no evidence to suggest that hasn't happened," Mr Weatherill told reporters on Monday.

The state opposition has criticised Mr Bignell, pointing to his $150,000 travel bill over the past financial year.

Media reports have also raised the issue of a $75 chauffeur car booked to take the minister from his hotel to the MCG for the AFL grand final last year, a distance of just 1.4km.

Mr Bignell told the Adelaide Advertiser that his luggage was stored in the car and the driver undertook other work before picking him up at the ground and taking him to the airport after the match.

Mr Weatherill said the minister's explanation in that case was "legitimate".

"Considered as a whole, I think his expenditure and his attempts to travel overseas and to promote the state are exactly what the state needs," the premier said.