Audit to finally see the light of day

Australians will finally get to see the nasties of the national commission of audit when it is released on Thursday.

It will give the strongest hint yet of the lengths the federal government might go to return the budget to surplus during the next decade.

Treasurer Joe Hockey has said the report made 86 recommendations for improving the efficiency of the government, but emphasised the coalition would not automatically take them all on board.

It is not clear whether Mr Hockey will indicate what recommendations he is rejecting when he releases the commission's findings on Thursday before his first budget on May 13.

Reports suggest the commission has criticised Prime Minister Tony Abbott's generous paid parental leave scheme, a plan he was forced to water down on Wednesday to appease disgruntled coalition MPs.

The audit report will be released at 1.50pm following a budget-style media lock-up in Canberra.