TWO scathing academic reports have forced the Queensland government to defend a financial audit it has used to justify massive public sector cuts.

The commission of audit into Queensland's finances, chaired by former federal treasurer Peter Costello, found the state would have debts of $92 billion within four years.

Premier Campbell Newman has used the audit to claim the state has thousands more public servants than it can afford.

But University of Queensland economist Professor John Quiggin said the audit was ''a routine political manoeuvre undertaken by incoming governments seeking to abandon electoral commitments.''

>> Read Professor Quiggin's report

Professor Quiggin said the assumptions used in the audit were based on a repeat of the global financial crisis, and of the devastating floods which hit the state in January 2011.

Read more at Brisbanetimes.com.au