Elections for the Tasmanian House of Assembly were held on the 8 February 1986. The incumbent Liberal government headed by Robin Gray hoped to secure a second term in office. Prior to the election the Liberals held 18 of the 35 seats in parliament. The Labor Party held 14, and there were three independents—former Labor Premier Doug Lowe, Green independent Bob Brown, and ex-Liberal MHA Gabriel Haros. The Labor Party was headed by Ken Wriedt. The Green independents were headed by Bob Brown. The Australian Democrats contested the electorates of Braddon and Bass.