Perth-based China expert to face trial

Former Australia China Business Council president Duncan Calder will face trial from October 5 after he allegedly made a lewd request to a teen.

Australia China Business Council's former National President Duncan Calder during a press conference at Parliament House in 2014. (AAP Image/Daniel Munoz) Source: AAP

The former national president of the Australia China Business Council will face trial after he allegedly encouraged a teenager to commit an indecent act.

Duncan Harvey Calder is charged with procuring, inciting and encouraging a child aged under 13 and under 16 to do an indecent act, and seeking a prostitute in the view of a public place.

Calder, who was part of Prime Minister Tony Abbott's trade delegation to China last year, has pleaded not guilty and will stand trial in the District Court of Western Australia on October 5.