Australia-China FTA achievable in 12 months

SYDNEY - Western Australia's Premier Colin Barnett said on Friday that he believed the Australia-China free trade deal could be reached within a year.

"It is realistic to think it could be done within 12 months, because as I understand it there are only a couple of details to be resolved. China has indicated to me several times this year they support a free trade agreement," Barnett, who is visiting China, told Fairfax radio on Friday.

"It is being driven primarily by Australia, but there are only a couple of minor issues (in the way)."

Barnett stressed that a free trade deal with China would provide opportunities for Australian small businesses to expand.

"In WA (Western Australia) it would be an immense benefit for something like the wine industry, it would open the market up and bring the price of Australian wine in China down considerably," Barnett said.

"The trend is to have these free trade agreements around the world, and we need to be part of it."