A CONTROVERSIAL pastor has formed a new political party he claims will uphold Christian values and protect freedom of speech.

Catch the Fire Ministries pastor Danny Nalliah said the Rise Up Australia Party would also highlight issues such as the burqa and the failure of multiculturalism.

"Immigrants who make Australia their home, while free to celebrate their own ethnic backgrounds, must respect Australian culture," he said.

"Rise Up Australia Party is totally opposed to the introduction of Sharia law in Australia - it is incompatible with our democracy and particularly curtails the civil rights and freedoms of women."

Dr Nalliah and another pastor were involved in a five-year legal battle after the Islamic Council of Victoria claimed comments they made about Muslims breached the state's religious vilification laws.

The case was settled after the Court of Appeal overturned VCAT's decision to uphold the complaint.

Dr Nalliah will launch the party today.

Originally published as New Right-wing party on the rise