Opposition defence spokesperson Angus Taylor has criticised the growing number of defence bureaucrats employed in the public service, arguing for a boost to frontline ADF personnel after China's extraordinary display of military power .

In a wide-ranging interview with The Canberra Times, the former shadow treasurer would not say if the Coalition would revive a policy to reduce the number of public servants it took to the last election , but said there was "obviously still work to do" to ensure that the department was prepared for potential future conflict.

"I learnt in business that the people you've got to serve in an organisation are those who are at the front line," Mr Taylor said.

"In the ADF, of course, it's the frontline of our military, and they are the war fighters, and w

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