Melbourne's two major newspapers are split on which party to back in Saturday's state election, but both have heavily criticised the way the Andrews government has operated over the past four years.
The Herald Sun, in its election-eve editorial, is calling for voters to support the coalition despite the achievements of Labor in its first term, which it said would normally merit re-election.
The News Corp masthead on Friday reported the government's refusal to co-operate with the police investigation into Labor's use of parliamentary allowances to partially pay party campaign staff, known as red shirts, ahead of the 2014 election was unthinkable.
"(Daniel) Andrews came to office promising to restore integrity, honesty, inclusion and openness to parliament. By his own measure, he has failed dismally on these key tests."
It said the worst outcome for Victoria would be a hung parliament, with a minority Labor government backed by the Greens.
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"On balance, the Herald Sun advocates for a vote in favour of Matthew Guy and the Liberals, to ensure Victoria makes the most of the challenges and the opportunities ahead," the Herald Sun said.
The Age's editorial was concerned with the government's "ruthless politics", also citing the red shirts rorting affair and expense scandals involving some former MPs.
But it backed a return of the Andrews government - with a warning its governance needed to improve.
"The Age believes the Andrews government does, however, deserve another term partly because it has been successful in implementing several important policies and partly because ejecting a first-term team without compelling reasons is disruptive," the Fairfax publication said.
"If Labor is returned ... and these rorts and scandals continue, it should undoubtedly be voted out in four years."
