It is a long-standing tradition for newspapers to unpack an election campaign and deliver a final verdict on the eve of polling day.
Here’s what the papers said 24 hours out from Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton’s final showdown at the 2025 Federal Election…
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Herald declared neither party had delivered a inspiring campaign, but ultimately backed Labor for a second term.
“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,” the editorial said.
“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.”
The Daily Telegraph
The Telegraph questioned the strength of the Coalition’s campaign, labelling it a “safety first” strategy.
But it still backed a change in government.
“A poor campaign by the Coalition should not obscure the risk of continued Labor mismanagement,” it said.
“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.”
The Australian Financial Review
In its editorial, the Australian Financial Review said Labor had “squandered the opportunity to end nearly two decades of policy apathy. Based on his record, Albanese has not made a convincing case for re-election.”
But it said Dutton had not offered a credible path to navigate the Australian economy and was reckless in its promises.
“In keeping with the times and reflecting uncertainty about the Coalition’s shifting political base towards the outer suburbs, the prevailing political instinct has been to respond to problems with a cash injection,” the editorial said.
“The Coalition has joined with Labor in bowing to an insidious entitlement culture, where emergency support has morphed into a standing order on the public purse to shield people from every financial burden.”
It ultimately declared its support for the Coalition, saying “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.”
The Australian
The national broadsheet backed the Coalition.
“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,” it said.
“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.”
The Guardian
The Guardian didn’t specifically back a candidate but appeared to lean towards Labor.
“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,” it said.
“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.”
The Western Weekender
The Weekender declared that while Melissa McIntosh had run an effective campaign in Lindsay for the Coalition, it could not support a change of government.
“Anthony Albanese must be a better Prime Minister in his second term than he was in his first. He needs to better understand the problems Australians are facing and he particularly needs to find solutions for the small business pressures that are sending many people to the wall,” Editor Troy Dodds said.
“However, there are green shoots starting to form and signs the worst of the economic challenges are behind his government.
“At no stage during the campaign did Dutton produce the killer moment that suggested things would be better under his leadership.
“Therefore, change cannot be supported.”
Weekender Newsroom
This post has been published by the team in our newsroom.