The South Australian Government has abandoned plans to shift the state's time zone forward to Eastern Standard Time.

Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith said the laws would not succeed in State Parliament without Opposition and crossbench support.

Mr Hamilton-Smith said the Liberal Party's position meant it would not be worth introducing the laws for debate in parliament.

"We're not going to take the matter further given the Liberal Party and a number of independents have come out today, and without having considered the matter fully and listened to the debate, ruled it out," he said.

He said the Government did not intend to revisit the debate.

"Sadly, we'll have to walk from this issue, and move on," he said.

Mr Hamilton-Smith referred to an economic study that showed 114,000 jobs in South Australia were linked to trade with the eastern states.

But he could not point to a number of jobs that would be created by changing the time zone, although he did believe the state would receive a $2.4 billion windfall.

The Government will also no longer look at a 30-minute shift backwards, towards Western Australian time.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said the Liberal partyroom was unanimous in rejecting any time zone change, as there was no business case to support changing the clocks.

"We don't think that the Government has put forward any evidence whatsoever," he said.

"We don't think there is any level of overwhelming support in the business community in South Australia — in fact many of the business groups and divided on what they think we should be doing on time zones."

The Greens, Family First and Upper House independent John Darley are reportedly keen vote against any time zone legislation.

Opposition trade spokesman Tim Whetstone agreed with his leader the issue was not high on the state's priorities.

"We have consulted widely and it's been overwhelmingly supported to leave the time zone as it is," he said.

"My view is that the inquiry into time zones was really a distraction — I think what all people are concerned about in South Australia is having a job."

Hamilton-Smith urges conscience guide any vote

Mr Hamilton-Smith, who quit the Liberals after the last election to side with Labor, agreed any bill the Government put to the Parliament would have had to garner enough Legislative Council backing, where Labor does not hold a majority.

"It is disappointing that the Liberal Party is locking into a position without seeing the facts," he said.

"It just demonstrates that Steven Marshall seems to be the captain of the 'anti-everything' brigade, it seems that everything's a 'no' ... everything's doom and gloom."

Some of the strongest opposition among South Australians to any time zone shift is in western parts of the state, where the sun rises latest and could be pushed back even further during the six months of daylight saving each year.

The Opposition holds the regional seats where that view is frequently expressed at public forums.

Nigel McBride said SA needed to move on with more pressing issues, despite his disappointment. ( ABC News )

Mr Hamilton-Smith has been visiting country areas and urging people to keep an open mind on changing the time zone.

Business SA previously said the state needed to align with east coast Australia's time zone if it hoped to attract more international investment, but chief executive Nigel McBride now said it was ready to move on to other issues.

"Ultimately, if the Upper House won't support it, let's move on," he said.

"There are 'burning deck' issues to do with jobs and the economy in the state, let's get on with those.

"It's disappointing, we think it would have been a great move for perception issues.

"It's over now, it would seem to be dead in the water. Hey, we've got lots of other things to focus on."

Ceduna Mayor Allan Suter, on the state's west coast, was delighted with the Opposition's decision.

"It's reflective, I believe, of the wishes of most people in South Australia and certainly nearly all people on Eyre Peninsula, so full credit to the Liberal Party for listening," he said.