The incumbent Australian Labor Party led by Premier of South Australia John Bannon increased its majority, and defeated the Liberal Party of Australia led by Leader of the Opposition John Olsen.

Labor won the election with an increased majority–at the time, the biggest majority it had held since the end of the Playmander, a record that would stand until 2006.

The Liberal Party retained John Olsen as leader, partly because his main rival Dean Brown lost his seat to Independent Liberal Stan Evans.

This shift gave the Australian Democrats sole balance of power.

South Australian state election, 7 December 1985[1]House of Assembly << 1982–1989 >> South Australian state election, 7 December 1985[2]Legislative Council << 1982–1989 >>