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After suggesting roles involving diversity would likely be cut, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has refused to detail his policy on cutting public servant jobs.

“We’ll make announcements in relation to our policies in due course, but I do note that with 36,000 additional roles, that brings the public service up to over 200,000. That’s much higher than in the Rudd-Gillard years,” Dutton said.

“I just don’t find any Australians who say that it’s easier to deal with the government as a result of employing more than 36,000 more public servants.”

Asked if he would cut frontline services for people like veterans who face a two-year wait time, Dutton said he would not.

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“No, and I’ve been clear about that in my statements. We’re not cutting frontline positions. I want more money to frontline services,” he said.

“I want more money for health and education. I want to make sure that we can get the GPs into areas at the moment where they’re not practising.”

Asked if he would offer redundancies or make it a hiring freeze, Dutton promised he would announce costings and plans before the election.

“I’m happy to make the announcement at the time, but I’ve been clear: we’re not having 36,000 additional public servants in Canberra,” he said.

Asked if there will be costings before the election, Dutton said: “Of course”.