History will not look kindly on the past decade of Australian politics in which four elected prime ministers have been overthrown by their own parties.

The knifings of Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull have undermined faith in politics, damaged Australia's international reputation and wasted time that should have been spent dealing with urgent problems such as climate change.

The Herald believes that above all else voters must use this election as a chance to put an end to that cycle of instability and with that in mind there is no choice but to endorse Bill Shorten and the ALP.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten at a rally on Thursday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Certainly, both parties have shared in the blood-letting of the past decade but over the past six years Mr Shorten has built up a united team that looks like it will stick together.