Only exceptions were the Sunday Age, which endorsed Labor, and Guardian Australia, which did not endorse a party

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Almost every metropolitan masthead has backed the Coalition to win the federal election on Saturday.

Rupert Murdoch’s stable of capital city newspapers have uniformly endorsed the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, for a second term, saying Bill Shorten’s agenda of “high spending” should be rejected.

Only Fairfax Media’s the Sunday Age and Guardian Australia did not endorse the Coalition. The Sunday Age endorsed Labor while Guardian Australia did not endorse a party.

Apart from the Sunday Age, all Fairfax Media newspapers have also thrown their support behind the Coalition.

Newspapers usually editorialise on the eve of an election, giving readers the view of the editor on which party would be best to lead the country. The editorial view is not supposed to influence the newspaper’s coverage of the news.

The Sydney Morning Herald explained on Friday that its editorial columns “reflect the view of what the editor-in-chief believes is in the public interest, just as they have since 1831.

“The editorial position has no effect on the Herald’s fiercely independent reporting of the news. We do not tell readers how to vote. We respect the myriad views and priorities in the community. We understand why people might support candidates outside the major parties. Realistically, though, the government will come from Labor or the Coalition.”

The Sydney Morning Herald has traditionally endorsed conservative parties in its editorials and did not back the Labor party at any election until 1984. It gave a ringing endorsement to Tony Abbott at the 2013 election but had previously supported Labor at the 2007 and 2010 federal elections.

The Sydney Morning Herald

If Australia gets this decision right, the nation should enjoy the economic strength and social progress to create greater opportunities for all. Given the choice between a Coalition led by the socially progressive economic reformer Mr Turnbull, and a Shorten-led Labor party backed by reform-resistant unions, we support the election of a Turnbull government.

The Sunday Age

Labor has risked a big-target campaign by presenting bold policies and, while the party is yet to resolve its vexed relationship with unions, Mr Shorten deserves the chance to govern.

The Age

We feel Mr Shorten remains blighted by his closeness to a sometimes recalcitrant union movement and by the colossal instability of his party in recent years. He is continuing to mature as a leader. Mr Shorten has, however, presented the nation with a legitimate choice. But we believe Mr Turnbull deserves the chance to deliver on the potential that stirred the nation when he came to power less than a year ago.

The Canberra Times

Mr Turnbull’s reluctance to fully embrace budget repair and the need for overdue tax reform notwithstanding, the Coalition promises stronger, more effective government than Labor.

The Sun-Herald

Mr Turnbull has had barely nine months to set a stronger economic and fairer social path than his predecessor ... he deserves a chance to establish his own mandate.

The Australian Financial Review



Mr Turnbull remains a popular figurehead who can still transmit the messages the country needs to hear. He and the Coalition deserve the backing of the Financial Review and the Australian people.

The Daily Telegraph

Either commit to a Prime Minister and a government that largely recognises the problems we must confront, or opt for an alternative that will blow spending through the roof. The Daily Telegraph endorses a vote for the Coalition.

The Courier Mail

Mr Shorten and Labor have managed to put their past behind them to offer a broadly credible alternative, but on balance Mr Turnbull and the Coalition are a more coherent prescription in an era that demands experience, stability and certainty.

The Adelaide Advertiser

The stakes are high and it’s the clear view of the Advertiser that Malcolm Turnbull and the Coalition are the right choice to deliver Australia and South Australia the strong and stable leadership we require in these tumultuous times.

The Sunday Telegraph (News Corp)

The Coalition is is undeniably the stronger party on all measures that really matter to Australians.

NT News (News Corp)

The Coalition presents the only responsible economic plan, one that seeks to reward effort and enterprise. Labor seems to have abandoned those principles.

The West Australian (Kerry Stokes)

Mr Turnbull and his leadership team have provided a clear vision for the future and they should be given the opportunity to execute that plan and, if re-elected, the prime minister needs to listen attentively and get on with leading the country.

Guardian Australia