Source : THE AGE NEWS
It’s tradition for Australia’s biggest newspapers to editorially endorse a party in print and online the day before Australians head to the polls.
On Friday, a slim majority of newspapers, led by News Corp’s mastheads, have gone against the expectations of pollsters and backed the Coalition to return to power on Saturday evening.
Below are the positions Australia’s biggest publishers have taken on the 2025 general election.
Newspapers lay out their political endorsements.Credit: Matt Willis
Nine Newspapers
The Sydney Morning Herald (Nine): An Albanese-led Labor government
“Ultimately, the Herald believes Dutton has not done enough to tell us who he is, what he believes in and what sort of leader he would be. We are not convinced he is ready to be prime minister, and do not believe the Coalition is fit to return to office after just three years in opposition.
While the Herald believes Albanese and Labor are the best option to form government, we do so with qualifications. The government has been competent but lacked ideas, reforming zeal and at times dithered in the crouch position as the world crashes around us.”
Past endorsements: 2010 (Gillard), 2013 (Abbott), 2016 (Turnbull), 2019 (Shorten), and 2022 (Albanese).
The Sydney Morning Herald pick: Anthony Albanese.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
The Age (Nine): An Albanese-led Labor government
“The Albanese government has had only three years in government. Despite its failures and missed opportunities it has not been so terrible that it deserves to be the first government thrown out after one term in almost 100 years. In his profile of Australia’s 31st prime minister, Chip Le Grand described Albanese as staid and predictable.
The same could be said of Albanese’s government. Perhaps at this point in time, and given the choices at the nation’s disposal, that is the best option available to the country.”
Past endorsements: 2010 (Gillard), 2013 (Rudd), 2016 (Turnbull), 2019 (Shorten), and 2022 (Albanese).
The Australian Financial Review (Nine): A Dutton-led Coalition government
“It’s a campaign where Albanese, the architect of the defeated Indigenous Voice to parliament referendum, could not find time to visit a remote Indigenous community, and Dutton, who wants to spend billions nationalising Australia’s energy system, refused to stop by a single site where he plans to build a nuclear reactor.
So with a difficult choice to be made and the prospect of Labor falling under the influence of Green recklessness in the event of a hung parliament, a Dutton government that has offered up slightly more in the way of budget responsibility might be our least worst bet, as unconvincing as he has been.”
Past endorsements: The AFR has endorsed a Coalition government in every election since 1990.
The Australian Financial Review pick: Peter Dutton.Credit: James Brickwood
News Corp Australia
The Australian (News Corp): A Dutton-led Coalition government
“We owe our allegiance to no party but rather to what is in the national interest. The choice facing the nation – one of great consequence – must be made against the backdrop of a dispiriting campaign characterised by short-term thinking and a paucity of vision from both sides. But in the key areas of defence, energy and the economy, the Coalition provides the best option for managing the demands of challenging and uncertain times.”
Past endorsements: The Australian has endorsed a Coalition government in each of the past five elections.
The Herald Sun (News Corp): A Dutton-led Coalition government
“When we look to the future, The Herald Sun maintains that Labor hasn’t delivered anywhere near enough to deserve another term of government.
We believe that the Coalition has a better plan to supercharge productivity and get the economy thriving again, with the right mix for energy, to lower costs and take all Australians forward.”
Past endorsements: The Herald Sun has endorsed a Coalition government in each of the past five elections.
The Daily Telegraph (News Corp): A Dutton-led Coalition government
“A poor campaign by the Coalition should not obscure the risk of continued Labor mismanagement. Penny Wong’s high-handed dismissal of Australian voters is a reminder of how Labor sees its role – as straighteners of our national will rather than enablers.
Certainly, a vote for the Coalition would be made in hope for a better performance.
A vote for Labor, however, would guarantee more of the same. The miserable economy-belting, morale-sapping same.”
Past endorsements: The Daily Telegraph has endorsed a Coalition government in each of the past five elections.
The Courier-Mail (News Corp): A Dutton-led Coalition government, with emphasis against the Greens
“The most vital thing in tomorrow’s election is that Australia does not end up with a parliament being held to ransom by the Greens.
“Running a less trouble-plagued campaign than your opponent is not exactly a ringing endorsement that demands another three years as the leader of our nation. Instead, that honour should be hard-won through genuine vision and leadership.
Mr Dutton has shown this in the position he took on the Voice, and in relation to the risk he has taken in promoting a nuclear energy vision.”
Past endorsements: The Courier Mail has endorsed a Coalition government in each of the past five elections.
On the campaign trail.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen, James Brickwood
The Advertiser (News Corp): A majority for either major party
“Peter Dutton would be stronger on national security […] Our energy security would be safer in his hands.
But if you want to win an election, you have to be able to win a campaign – and Dutton failed on that score.
Should Labor win tomorrow, their campaign of lies will haunt them. Should Dutton win, he will have to outperform his campaign. However, for the good of the country, one of them must win majority government lest our futures be in the hands of the mad Greens, self-serving teals or the independent rabble.”
Past endorsements: 2010 (Gillard), 2013 (Abbott), 2016 (Turnbull), 2019 (Morrison), and 2022 (Morrison).
The Hobart Mercury (News Corp): A Dutton-led Coalition government
“Labor has had three years to provide greater economic stability for struggling families.
The Mercury believes the Coalition is better equipped to provide that economic light at the end of the tunnel.”
Past endorsements: 2010 (Gillard), 2013 (Abbott), 2016 (Turnbull), 2019 (No endorsement), and 2022 (No endorsement)
Other media
The Guardian: An Albanese-led minority Labor government
“It is not ‘hate’ but an assessment of the facts that informs Guardian Australia’s view that Mr Dutton does not appear ready to lead and the Coalition has not demonstrated the policy coherence necessary for effective government.
Progressive Australians are left with strategic choices. If they think the country is best served continuing along the path of gradual change they should vote Labor. If they want to vote strategically, understanding the risk of not knowing the ultimate makeup of the parliament, they may choose the Greens, teals or other alternative candidates in the hope of electing a minority Labor government with a progressive crossbench pushing it to move faster.”
Past endorsements: 2010 (N/A), 2013 (Rudd), 2016 (No endorsement), 2019 (Shorten/Greens), and 2022 (Albanese).
The Canberra Times (Australian Community Media): An Albanese-led Labor government
“Against the backdrop of a chaotic United States, a previously unpopular, uninspiring and timid Albanese government has been made to look responsible and safe, and the opposition to look reckless and even threatening.
Like in Canada earlier this week, a safe set of hands looks a far better electoral choice than a grasping one.”
Past endorsements: 2010 (Gillard), 2013 (Abbott), 2016 (Turnbull), 2019 (No endorsement), and 2022 (Albanese)
The West Australian (Seven West Media):The West is yet to publish its election editorial.
Past endorsements: 2010 (Abbott), 2013 (Abbott), 2016 (Turnbull), 2019 (Morrison), and 2022 (Morrison)
The rest: The Nightly, Seven West Media’s digital newspaper, said Albanese should be punished, backing the Coalition, while Sky News Australia’s Sharri Markson said Peter Dutton would be the “fresh start” Australia needs.
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