By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
ANTI-Islam party Rise Up Australia leader Daniel Nalliah senses his political stocks are on the rise.
Mr Nalliah, the pastor of Hallam-based Catch the Fire Ministries church said during a recent campaign event in Palm Plaza, Dandenong, that his prospects of being elected to the Upper House in next month’s state election had risen.
“We believe we’ll get a larger vote than last year’s federal election.
“Even if we don’t get through to the Upper House, Labor and Liberals will be talking to us about preference deals.”
The party wants to ban burqas and sharia law, as well as wind back the state’s ‘doctor’s conscience’ abortion laws.
The Keysborough resident said the church could “play a part” in tackling mental health issues and alcohol and drug abuse, and setting up 24-7 helplines.
It is preferencing Australian Christians and the Christian-based Democratic Labor Party but is undecided on what order it will back the ALP and the Coalition.
Mr Nalliah said hits on his party’s Facebook page had more than doubled to 18,000 a day recently, on the back of “Islamic issues”.
He cited the stabbing of two police officers by an alleged terror suspect in Endeavour Hills and arrests in Sydney over an alleged beheading plot.
Handing out brochures with the slogan ‘Luv ya’, Mr Nalliah said he stood by a creed against Islam but “loving the Muslim people”.
The party’s number-two candidate Rosalie Crestani, a Casey councillor, said the party – which includes “ Muslisms, the gay community, atheists” as members – appreciated the “Muslim population who come here and live in peace”.
“Parts of the Koran, which incite hatred and violence, don’t mix here.”
Cr Crestani said favourable feedback during meet-and-greets had soared from “50:50” a few months ago to “90 per cent”.
“The recent terror and security threats have changed people’s thinking. It’s hit home now.
“They say we’re not going to put up with the extremism anymore.
“The more Muslim a community becomes the more violent it becomes – that’s historical fact.”
A Muslim trader watching the Palm Plaza event said he had never heard of the party before.
“I don’t think we have anything to worry about with them.”
