What the newspapers are saying today

Here's what the major dailies are saying this morning, as the nation awakes to elect the 43rd Federal Parliament since Federation in 1901.

The Big Picture, the opening of the Parliament of Australia, 9 May 1901, painted by Tom Roberts

• Cairns Post Far North asks politicians for a new way forward
• NewsLtd Labor braces for the backlash
• ABC News Leaders in dead heat on D-day
• The Australian Gillard fights surge to fast-finishing Coalition
• Courier Mail Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott fire their last broadsides before election day
• Sydney Morning Herald Hanging on: Labor leads, Libs close in
• The West Australian Labor faces WA backlash as national poll puts Gillard just ahead
  
• Northern Territory News A pox on both your houses
• Adelaide Advertiser SA vote may not protect Gillard
• Sun Herald And now it comes down to your vote in the Federal election
• The Melbourne Age Down to the undecideds as regional swings hold the key
  
• Canberra Times Humphries downplays effect of Public Service cost cuts
  
  ..and The Mercury from Tasmania No jail for pregnant attack
  
  
• Oh, and CairnsBlog What the newspapers are saying today