Migrants Form New Party In Aussie

Rise Up Australia already boasts about 1,500 members and plans to run 65 candidates in the upcoming federal election.

"Rise Up Australia Party, which is committed to keeping Australia for Australians, is utterly and completely opposed to multiculturalism, says Rise Up Australia's founder Daniel Nalliah.

The Sri Lankan-born pastor draws on his own migrant past in defence of assimilation.

That message has the backing of international figures.

"If you come here, then follow Pastor Danny's example and enjoy it and celebrate it and do not seek to destroy it," said Christopher Monckton from the UK Independence Party.

The leader of the new party has come under fire in the past for anti-Islamic comments, but he wasn't backing away from making controversial statements again today.

"True Muslims are radicals, unfortunately. If they practice the Koran, they're radicals," he said.

If elected, Rise Up wants to restrict the number of Muslims calling Australia 'home'.

The party has 1,500 supporters across the country, and is putting forward 52 candidates in the Lower House and a dozen in the Senate in the upcoming federal election.

Many of the supporters are concerned about what they claim is the "Islamification of Australia".

"If we're not careful, we're going to lose this country," said a supporter. "I don't want to see Sharia Law in Australia," said another.

But Iqbal Patel from Muslims Australia says that's far from happening.

"Nobody wants to impose Sharia law in Australia, I mean, far from it. That's the last thing that anybody wants to do"