The government is set to announce who will conduct its national commission of audit and what they will examine.
The announcement is expected to come Tuesday after the coalition cabinet signs off on the composition of the national commission, its commissioners and terms of reference.
The audit is expected to examine government spending line by line to ensure taxpayers receive value for money, while identifying inefficiencies in the way government delivers services.
Former Treasurer Chris Bowen said on Tuesday that Labor knew from "bitter experience" that a commission of audit would not be pleasant.
"What's a commission of audit if is not going to recommend cuts?" he said on Sky News.
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He said Labor had urged the coalition during the election to tell the Australian people what was to be axed if they were going to make cuts.
"Don't rely on the fig leaf of a commission of audit which will then make recommendations for cuts after an election," he said.
"Let's see whether they seek a mandate or they try and cut things earlier."
It is understood that one of the people being considered to head the audit is Business Council of Australia president Tony Shepherd.
Mr Shepherd would bring expertise as a pioneer of private sector development and ownership of infrastructure in Australia.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has said any recommendations from the commission of audit adopted by the government will be implemented consistent with the commitments made in the lead up to the election.
He said the commission was expected to provide an interim report before the end of the year and a final report next year so that its recommendations can feed into the 2014-15 budget process.
