Who will really be running Australia in 2014? No, there's no surprise election; as far as I know the Abbott government will continue to hold office. But what we have come to understand is that its approach to governing is not policy based. It is not embracing leadership through robust community engagement. There is no discussion of how it plans to improve lives and protect jobs. Instead, the opportunity to lead has been outsourced to big business in the form of a large number of reviews - more than 40, in fact.

This year we will see the result of many of these reviews and they will be a major influence on the Abbott government's decisions.

'The public could be forgiven for thinking that a meeting of minds is a safe way to ensure the government receives advice to make the best decisions.'

Anyone who calls Australia home and plans to live, work and retire here; anyone who wants to use the hospitals, send their children to the schools, and who cares about the direction our nation is heading can't afford to ignore the reality that our government is seeking the advice of only one narrow section of society.

For example, Tony Shepherd from the Business Council of Australia (BCA) will oversee one of the biggest reviews, the Commission of Audit. This task will have far-reaching consequences and require the council's business leaders to assess the role and scope of government, to recommend changes and advise on how taxpayer money should be spent. Ideas already floated include the $6 co-payment for doctor visits. Considering Mr Shepherd's vested interests, it is likely the commission will be recommending policies that promote privatisation and small government. Shifting services away from government (under the banner of ''cost savings'') will bring big changes in the way Australia is run.